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The peacock feathers, known for their beauty, hide fascinating secrets. A recent study revealed that these feathers could emit narrow light beams. Researchers have discovered that the microscopic structures present in feathers can amplify light into a laser beam. This discovery, carried out by a collaboration between the Polytechnic University of Florida and the State University of Youngstown, could transform our understanding of optical capacities in the animal kingdom. Using special dyes, scientists have found that feathers could emit two distinct frequencies of laser light.
First occurrence of a Biolaser cavity
Researchers claim to have discovered the first example of a Biolaser cavity in the animal kingdom. By applying a dye on peacock feathers and exciting them with an external light source, they observed the emission of yellow-green beam. This experience has highlighted the properties emitted by the infused bearded by coloring Indian peacock feathers (Pavo Cristatus), when they are subjected to high intensities pumped at 532 nm. The study highlights how complex biological structures can generate coherent light.
These results underline the importance of these microscopic structures which, although not precisely identified, could be responsible for this single phenomenon. According to the researchers, the protein granules or other small structures present in the feathers could serve as a laser cavity.
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Observation of a set of preserved laser wavelengths
The researchers revealed that the infused bearded by coloring were prepared by a repeated application of the coloring solution, followed by drying. This process was carried out on several parts of the same pen as well as on different samples. A set of highly preserved laser wavelength has been observed.
“The strongest laser intensity compared to the broad emission curve has been issued from the region of green color,” said the researchers.
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The areas where the visible reflection bands were outside the color region of the dye also emitted laser light.
Precise microstructures responsible for the laser phenomenon
Although researchers have not precisely identified the microstructures responsible for the laser phenomenon, they argue that this study could be an elegant example of the way in which complex biological structures can generate coherent light. After recovering the peacock feathers, the researchers removed the excess lengths from the beards and mounted the feathers on an absorbent substrate.
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The feathers were infused with common dyes, then exposed to light impulses to measure the resulting emissions. Researchers suggested that protein granules or other small structures inside the feathers could operate as a laser cavity.
Potential applications in biomaterials
Some experts believe that looking for laser light in biomaterials could help identify regular microstructured structures in medicine. For example, certain foreign objects, such as distinct geometric shapes, could be identified according to their ability to operate as lasers.
This study, published in the journal Scientific Reportsopens the way to new research on the use of peacock feathers and other biomaterials for innovative scientific and medical applications.
The discovery of the laser properties of peacock feathers raises many exciting questions. How have these microscopic structures evolved to allow such an optical capacity? What other secrets could hide the natural wonders of the animal kingdom?
This article is based on verified sources and the assistance of editorial technologies.
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