Structural colors with angle-insensitive optical properties generated by Morpho-inspired 2PP structures

Abstract

This paper describes how two-photon polymerization was used to generate biomimetic nanostructures with angle-insensitive coloration inspired by the blue butterflies of Morpho. Less angle dependence was achieved by engineering the structures with a certain degree of disorder, which delimited them from classical photonic crystals. Variations in the processing parameters enabled the color hue to be controlled. In this context, blue, green, yellow, and brown structures were demonstrated. Reflection spectra of the structures were simulated and studied experimentally in a broad range of incident angles. Additionally, a molding technique was performed as a potential scale-up strategy. The application of such biomimetic structures is discussed.