Lensless light focusing with the centric marine
diatom Coscinodiscus walesii

doi:10.1364/OE.15.018082

Lensless light focusing with the centric marine diatom Coscinodiscus walesii

Luca De Stefano, Ilaria Rea, Ivo Rendina, Mario De Stefano, and Luigi Moretti »View Author Affiliations

Optics Express, Vol. 15, Issue 26, pp. 18082-18088 (2007)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1364/OE.15.018082

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Abstract

In this work, we report on the light focusing ability exploited by the microshell of a marine organism: the Coscinodiscus wailesii diatom. A 100 µm spot size of a red laser beam is narrowed up to less than 10 µm at a distance of 104 µm after the transmission through the regular geometry of the diatom structure, which thus acts as a microlens. Numerical simulations of the electromagnetic field propagation show a good qualitative agreement with the experimental results. The focusing effect is due to the superposition of the waves scattered by the holes present on the surface of the diatom valve. Very interesting applications in micro-optic devices are feasible due to the morphological and biological characteristic of these unicellular organisms.

OCIS Codes
(170.0170) Medical optics and biotechnology : Medical optics and biotechnology
(170.1420) Medical optics and biotechnology : Biology
(220.3630) Optical design and fabrication : Lenses
(160.1435) Materials : Biomaterials

ToC Category:
Medical Optics and Biotechnology

History
Original Manuscript: August 22, 2007
Revised Manuscript: October 29, 2007
Manuscript Accepted: November 7, 2007
Published: December 18, 2007

Virtual Issues
Vol. 3, Iss. 1 Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

Citation
Luca De Stefano, Ilaria Rea, Ivo Rendina, Mario De Stefano, and Luigi Moretti, "Lensless light focusing with the centric marine diatom Coscinodiscus walesii," Opt. Express 15, 18082-18088 (2007)
http://www.opticsinfobase.org/vjbo/abstract.cfm?URI=oe-15-26-18082

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References

H. Baltes, O. Brand, G. K. Fedder, C. Nierold, J. G. Korvink, O. Tabata, Enabling Technology for MEMS and Nanodevices, (Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2004).
V. C. Sundar, A. D. Yablon, J. L. Grazul, M. Ilan, J. Aizenberg, "Fibre-optical features of a glass sponge," Nature 424, 899-900 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
P. Vukusic and J. R. Sambles, "Photonic structures in biology," Nature 424, 852-5 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
F. E. Round, R. M. Crawford, D. G. Mann, The Diatoms. Biology and Morphology of the Genera, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1990).
M. Sumper, "A phase separation model for the nanopatterning of diatom biosilica," Science 295, 2430-33 (1990). [CrossRef]
M. Sumper and E. Brunner, "Learning from diatoms: nature’s tools for the production of nanostructured silica,"Adv. Funct. Mater. 16, 17-26 (2006). [CrossRef]
G. Josten, H. P. Weber, W. Luethy, "Lensless focusing with an array of phase-adjusted optical fibers," Appl. Opt. 28, 5133-37 (1989). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
M. De Stefano and L. De Stefano, "Nanostructures in diatom frustules: functional morphology of valvocopulae in Cocconeidacean monoraphid taxa," Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 5, 15-24, (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
J. D. Joannopoulus, R. D. Meade, J. N. Winn, Photonic crystals. Molding the flow of light. (Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1995).
Results are the subject of a different paper.
S. S. Hong, B. K. P. Horn, D. M. Freeman, M. S. Mermelstein, "Lensless focusing with subwavelength resolution by direct synthesis of the angular spectrum," Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 261107 (2006). [CrossRef]
P. Xi, C. Zhou, E. Dai, and L. Liu, "Generation of near-field hexagonal array illumination with a phase grating," Opt. Lett. 27, 228 (2002). [CrossRef]
F. M. Huang, N. Zheludev, Y. Chen, F. J. Garcia de Abajo, "Focusing of light by a nanohole array," Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 091119 (2007). [CrossRef]
M. Born and E. Wolf, Principles of Optics, 6th Edition, (Pergamon Press, 1980).
G. R. Wein, "A video technique for the quantitative analysis of the Poisson spot and other diffraction patterns," Am. J. Phys. 67, 236 (1999). [CrossRef]
R. L. Lucke, "Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction and Poisson’s spot," Eur. J. Phys. 27, 193 (2006). [CrossRef]
Q1. R. Scarmozzino, A. Gopinath, R. Pregla, S. Helfert, "Numerical Techniques for Modeling Guided-Wave Photonic Devices," IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 6, 150 (2000). [CrossRef]
G. R. Hadley, "Wide-angle beam propagation using Pade approximant operators," Opt. Lett. 17, 1426, (1992). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
T. Fuhrmann, S. Landwehr, M. El Rharbi-Kucki, M. Sumper, "Diatoms as living photonic crystals," Appl. Phys. B 78, 257-260 (2004). [CrossRef]
H. Ottevaere and H. Thienpont, "Comparative study of glass and plastic refractive microlenses and their fabrication techniques," Proceedings of the Symposium IEEE/LEOS Benelux Chapter: 218-221 (2002).
Q2. M. R. Weatherspoon, M. A. Allan, E. Hunt, Y. Cai, K. H. Sandhage, "Sol-gel synthesis on self-replicating single-cell scaffolds: applying complex chemistries to nature’s 3-D nanostructured templates," Chem. Commun. 651-653, (2005). [CrossRef]
C. E. Hamm, R. Merkel, O. Springer, P. Jurkojc, C. Maier, K. Prechtel, V. Smetacek, "Architecture and material properties of diatom shells provide effective mechanical protection," Nature 421, 841-843 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
B. Stager, M. T. Gale, M. Rossi, "Replicated micro-optics for automotive applications," Proc. SPIE 5663, 238-245 (2005). [CrossRef]

Aizenberg, J.
Allan, M. A.
Brunner, E.
Cai, Y.
Chen, Y.
Dai, E.
De Stefano, L.
De Stefano, M.
El Rharbi-Kucki, M.
Freeman, D. M.
Fuhrmann, T.
Gale, M. T.
Garcia de Abajo, F. J.
Gopinath, A.
Grazul, J. L.
Hadley, G. R.
Hamm, C. E.
Helfert, S.
Hong, S. S.
Horn, B. K. P.
Huang, F. M.
Hunt, E.
Ilan, M.
Josten, G.
Jurkojc, P.
Landwehr, S.
Liu, L.
Lucke, R. L.
Luethy, W.
Maier, C.
Merkel, R.
Mermelstein, M. S.
Prechtel, K.
Pregla, R.
Rossi, M.
Sambles, J. R.
Sandhage, K. H.
Scarmozzino, R.
Smetacek, V.
Springer, O.
Stager, B.
Sumper, M.
Sundar, V. C.
Vukusic, P.
Weatherspoon, M. R.
Weber, H. P.
Wein, G. R.
Xi, P.
Yablon, A. D.
Zheludev, N.
Zhou, C.

Adv. Funct. Mater.

M. Sumper and E. Brunner, "Learning from diatoms: nature’s tools for the production of nanostructured silica,"Adv. Funct. Mater. 16, 17-26 (2006). [CrossRef]

Am. J. Phys.

G. R. Wein, "A video technique for the quantitative analysis of the Poisson spot and other diffraction patterns," Am. J. Phys. 67, 236 (1999). [CrossRef]

Appl. Opt.

G. Josten, H. P. Weber, W. Luethy, "Lensless focusing with an array of phase-adjusted optical fibers," Appl. Opt. 28, 5133-37 (1989). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Appl. Phys. B

T. Fuhrmann, S. Landwehr, M. El Rharbi-Kucki, M. Sumper, "Diatoms as living photonic crystals," Appl. Phys. B 78, 257-260 (2004). [CrossRef]

Appl. Phys. Lett.

S. S. Hong, B. K. P. Horn, D. M. Freeman, M. S. Mermelstein, "Lensless focusing with subwavelength resolution by direct synthesis of the angular spectrum," Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 261107 (2006). [CrossRef]
F. M. Huang, N. Zheludev, Y. Chen, F. J. Garcia de Abajo, "Focusing of light by a nanohole array," Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 091119 (2007). [CrossRef]

Chem. Commun.

Q2. M. R. Weatherspoon, M. A. Allan, E. Hunt, Y. Cai, K. H. Sandhage, "Sol-gel synthesis on self-replicating single-cell scaffolds: applying complex chemistries to nature’s 3-D nanostructured templates," Chem. Commun. 651-653, (2005). [CrossRef]

Eur. J. Phys.

R. L. Lucke, "Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction and Poisson’s spot," Eur. J. Phys. 27, 193 (2006). [CrossRef]

IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron.

Q1. R. Scarmozzino, A. Gopinath, R. Pregla, S. Helfert, "Numerical Techniques for Modeling Guided-Wave Photonic Devices," IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 6, 150 (2000). [CrossRef]

Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

M. De Stefano and L. De Stefano, "Nanostructures in diatom frustules: functional morphology of valvocopulae in Cocconeidacean monoraphid taxa," Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 5, 15-24, (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Nature

V. C. Sundar, A. D. Yablon, J. L. Grazul, M. Ilan, J. Aizenberg, "Fibre-optical features of a glass sponge," Nature 424, 899-900 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
P. Vukusic and J. R. Sambles, "Photonic structures in biology," Nature 424, 852-5 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]
C. E. Hamm, R. Merkel, O. Springer, P. Jurkojc, C. Maier, K. Prechtel, V. Smetacek, "Architecture and material properties of diatom shells provide effective mechanical protection," Nature 421, 841-843 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

Opt. Lett.

Proc. SPIE

B. Stager, M. T. Gale, M. Rossi, "Replicated micro-optics for automotive applications," Proc. SPIE 5663, 238-245 (2005). [CrossRef]

Science

M. Sumper, "A phase separation model for the nanopatterning of diatom biosilica," Science 295, 2430-33 (1990). [CrossRef]

Other

H. Baltes, O. Brand, G. K. Fedder, C. Nierold, J. G. Korvink, O. Tabata, Enabling Technology for MEMS and Nanodevices, (Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2004).
F. E. Round, R. M. Crawford, D. G. Mann, The Diatoms. Biology and Morphology of the Genera, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1990).
J. D. Joannopoulus, R. D. Meade, J. N. Winn, Photonic crystals. Molding the flow of light. (Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1995).
Results are the subject of a different paper.
M. Born and E. Wolf, Principles of Optics, 6th Edition, (Pergamon Press, 1980).
H. Ottevaere and H. Thienpont, "Comparative study of glass and plastic refractive microlenses and their fabrication techniques," Proceedings of the Symposium IEEE/LEOS Benelux Chapter: 218-221 (2002).

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[1] H. Baltes, O. Brand, G. K. Fedder, C. Nierold, J. G. Korvink, O. Tabata, Enabling Technology for MEMS and Nanodevices, (Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2004).

[2] V. C. Sundar, A. D. Yablon, J. L. Grazul, M. Ilan, J. Aizenberg, "Fibre-optical features of a glass sponge," Nature 424, 899-900 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[3] P. Vukusic and J. R. Sambles, "Photonic structures in biology," Nature 424, 852-5 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[4] F. E. Round, R. M. Crawford, D. G. Mann, The Diatoms. Biology and Morphology of the Genera, (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1990).

[5] M. Sumper, "A phase separation model for the nanopatterning of diatom biosilica," Science 295, 2430-33 (1990). [CrossRef]

[6] M. Sumper and E. Brunner, "Learning from diatoms: nature’s tools for the production of nanostructured silica,"Adv. Funct. Mater. 16, 17-26 (2006). [CrossRef]

[7] G. Josten, H. P. Weber, W. Luethy, "Lensless focusing with an array of phase-adjusted optical fibers," Appl. Opt. 28, 5133-37 (1989). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[8] M. De Stefano and L. De Stefano, "Nanostructures in diatom frustules: functional morphology of valvocopulae in Cocconeidacean monoraphid taxa," Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology 5, 15-24, (2005). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[9] J. D. Joannopoulus, R. D. Meade, J. N. Winn, Photonic crystals. Molding the flow of light. (Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1995).

[10] Results are the subject of a different paper.

[11] S. S. Hong, B. K. P. Horn, D. M. Freeman, M. S. Mermelstein, "Lensless focusing with subwavelength resolution by direct synthesis of the angular spectrum," Appl. Phys. Lett. 88, 261107 (2006). [CrossRef]

[12] P. Xi, C. Zhou, E. Dai, and L. Liu, "Generation of near-field hexagonal array illumination with a phase grating," Opt. Lett. 27, 228 (2002). [CrossRef]

[13] F. M. Huang, N. Zheludev, Y. Chen, F. J. Garcia de Abajo, "Focusing of light by a nanohole array," Appl. Phys. Lett. 90, 091119 (2007). [CrossRef]

[14] M. Born and E. Wolf, Principles of Optics, 6th Edition, (Pergamon Press, 1980).

[15] G. R. Wein, "A video technique for the quantitative analysis of the Poisson spot and other diffraction patterns," Am. J. Phys. 67, 236 (1999). [CrossRef]

[16] R. L. Lucke, "Rayleigh-Sommerfeld diffraction and Poisson’s spot," Eur. J. Phys. 27, 193 (2006). [CrossRef]

[17] Q1. R. Scarmozzino, A. Gopinath, R. Pregla, S. Helfert, "Numerical Techniques for Modeling Guided-Wave Photonic Devices," IEEE J. Sel. Top. Quantum Electron. 6, 150 (2000). [CrossRef]

[18] G. R. Hadley, "Wide-angle beam propagation using Pade approximant operators," Opt. Lett. 17, 1426, (1992). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[19] T. Fuhrmann, S. Landwehr, M. El Rharbi-Kucki, M. Sumper, "Diatoms as living photonic crystals," Appl. Phys. B 78, 257-260 (2004). [CrossRef]

[20] H. Ottevaere and H. Thienpont, "Comparative study of glass and plastic refractive microlenses and their fabrication techniques," Proceedings of the Symposium IEEE/LEOS Benelux Chapter: 218-221 (2002).

[21] Q2. M. R. Weatherspoon, M. A. Allan, E. Hunt, Y. Cai, K. H. Sandhage, "Sol-gel synthesis on self-replicating single-cell scaffolds: applying complex chemistries to nature’s 3-D nanostructured templates," Chem. Commun. 651-653, (2005). [CrossRef]

[22] C. E. Hamm, R. Merkel, O. Springer, P. Jurkojc, C. Maier, K. Prechtel, V. Smetacek, "Architecture and material properties of diatom shells provide effective mechanical protection," Nature 421, 841-843 (2003). [CrossRef] [PubMed]

[23] B. Stager, M. T. Gale, M. Rossi, "Replicated micro-optics for automotive applications," Proc. SPIE 5663, 238-245 (2005). [CrossRef]

OpticsInfoBase

Virtual Journal for Biomedical Optics

| EXPLORING THE INTERFACE OF LIGHT AND BIOMEDICINE

Lensless light focusing with the centric marine diatom Coscinodiscus walesii