Calcitic prisms of the giant seashellPinna nobilisform light guide arrays

Abstract

AbstractThe shells of thePinnidaefamily are based on a double layer of single-crystal-like calcitic prisms and inner aragonitic nacre, a structure known for its outstanding mechanical performance. However, on the posterior side, shells are missing the nacreous layer, which raises the question of whether there could be any functional role in giving up this mechanical performance. Here, we demonstrate that the prismatic part of thePinna nobilisshell exhibits unusual optical properties, whereby each prism acts as an individual optical fiber guiding the ambient light to the inner shell cavity by total internal reflection. This pixelated light channeling enhances both spatial resolution and contrast while reducing angular blurring, an apt combination for acute tracking of a moving object. Our findings may offer insights into the evolutionary aspects of light-sensing and imaging by biological materials and introduce a conceptual framework for the development of bio-inspired multifunctional ceramics and architectured light-tracking materials.