Heliyon (Jan 2018)

Theoretical study of electromagnetic transport in Lepidoptera Danaus plexippus wing scales

  • J. Sackey,
  • K.A. Dompreh,
  • B. Mothudi,
  • M. Maaza

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00502
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 4, no. 1

Abstract

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This paper examines the electromagnetic energies developed in the scales of the Lepidoptera Danaus plexippus. The Green tensor method was used to calculate and simulate the energies at specific wavelengths. Scattering of electromagnetic waves within the scales was simulated at different wavelengths (λ) with the corresponding maximum energy occurred at λ = 0.45 μm. The study shows that the design of wing’s cross-ribs maximizes the eigenmode of electromagnetic energy. This shows promising applications in bio-sensors of Solar light and likewise in waveguide for photonic transmission.

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