In this study we apply an existing optical characterisation technique to establish reliably the complex refractive indices of layers comprising a natural multilayer reflector in the beetle Chrysochroa raja. Its reflector characteristics, ultrastructure and layer thicknesses were established using electron and optical microscopy. We recorded a significant number of wavelength dependent optical data sets from the same regions of sample using both linear polarisations and from a variety of different angles. These optical data sets were modelled simultaneously in order to significantly reduce the degeneracy of the fitting process. For the C. raja sample in question, the fitted complex refractive indices of both layer types were determined to be n=1.68 k=0.03 and n=1.55 k=0.14.

Diatoms are well known for the intricately patterned nanostructure of their silica-based cell walls. To date, the optical properties of diatom cell-wall ultrastructures have largely gone uncharacterized experimentally. Here we report the results of a detailed experimental investigation of the way in which light interacts with the ultrastructure of a representative centric diatom species,Coscinodiscus wailesii. Light interaction both with individual valves and whole bivalves of the diatomC. wailesiiwas measured. Significant sixfold symmetric diffraction through the valve ultrastructure was observed in transmission and quantified to efficiencies that were found to be strongly wavelength dependent; approximately 80% for red, 30% for green, and 20% for blue light. While these results may potentially offer insight into the role of periodic nanostructure in diatom selection, they are also important for consideration in the design of biomimetic optics-based diatom applications.