On-chip light scattering imaging of the guanine platelet

Abstract

Abstract A guanine platelet is a very thin optical component that plays a role in light reflection control in the narrow space within the body of a fish. However, the details of this light control mechanism have not been revealed to date. In this work, guanine micro-platelets floating in water are visualized via light projection near an image sensor. These guanine platelets demonstrate light scattering in specific directions. By setting a thin water layer on top of the image sensor’s cover glass, each platelet in the water layer forms column- or bar-code-shaped images on the screen. The existence of nanohole gratings in these platelets was confirmed by high-resolution optical microscopy. Numerical electromagnetic simulations indicated that the nanohole gratings contributed to the formation of unique light projection spots.