FYKOS Year 33 Series 2 Problem 4 — butterflies · FYKOS 33 #33.2.4

Physics · optics · modern-physics

Problem

A rainbow-like, turquoise colour of the genus Morpho butterflies' wings' surface is a consequence of constructive interference of light reflected from layers of the transparent cuticle (cell layer on the wings' surface). Layers of thickness ht=63.5 nmh_{\mathrm{t}} = 63.5\,\mathrm{nm} and refractive index nt=1.53n_{\mathrm{t}} = 1.53 are separated by ha=120.3 nmh_{\mathrm{a}} = 120.3\,\mathrm{nm} thick air gaps (see figure). Estimate the wavelengths of visible light corresponding to interference maxima.

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