Photonic Structures in the Animal Kingdom: Valuable Inspirations for Biomimetic Applications

This chapter reviews the various pigmentary and structural colouration principles that can be recognised in brightly coloured bird feathers, butterfly wing scales and insect cuticle. Examples of one-dimensional (1D) photonic systems can be found among both birds and insects. Of special interest are the 3D photonic crystals of butterfly and weevil scales as well as the quasi-ordered photonic systems of bird feather barbs. The biological examples may provide crucial inspiration for technical applications.