We present a study on coherent light scattering effects in the white scales of the beetle Cyphochilus as well as in a simple model of the scales based on disordered Bragg stacks. For both structures the occurrence of random resonances is experimentally shown via ultrafast time-resolved scattered light spectroscopy. These resonances contribute about 20% to the total reflected light, revealing that resonant effects cannot be neglected in the explanation of brilliant whiteness. Accompanying numerical simulations further confirm that the so far presumed purely diffusive light transport is insufficient to fully describe the light scattering in ultrathin, white structures.
Recently, we presented a simple 3D model based on a combination of disordered Bragg stacks capable to entirely mimic the optical properties of the scales of the white beetle Cyphochilus. Due to its simplicity, we use this model here to investigate numerically the influences of filling fraction and anisotropy on the scattering properties, which are under ongoing debate. Moreover, we present an experimental realization of our model and the first measurement of the entire photon lifetime distribution within the scales and our model as well. Appropriate simulations reveal strategies to design strongly scattering structures with tailored photon lifetime distributions.
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