Peacock Feathers Are Stunning. They Can Also Emit Laser Beams
1 min read
Summary
Scientists in China have discovered that multiple staining of peacock feathers with dye creates conditions for the emission of laser light.
Peacock feathers have no pigment; their colours come from the structure of the material they are made from which makes them photonic crystals that produce vibrant colours depending on the angle at which they are viewed.
The finding, published in Scientific Reports, is the first example of a biolaser cavity within the animal kingdom, and opens the door to creating biocompatible lasers that could be used in the human body for sensing, imaging and medical treatments.
The authors tested the feathers by cutting them to the correct lengths, mounting them on an absorbent substrate and infusing them with dye, created by pipetting the dye solution onto the feathers and letting them dry.
The feathers were stained multiple times, and subsequent light emissions tested, with the colour green found to emit the laser light with the highest intensity.
