We analyze the light reflected by an iridescent-metallic-color scarab (Phanaeus splendidulus) that changes non-polarized light into left-handed-circularly-polarized light. Animals or plants that produce this kind of light are uncommon, although this particular species is fairly widespread in Brazil. This fact, added to the relative ease of obtaining a polarizer and an achromatic quarter wave plate, allow the use of this demonstration experiment and the analysis of circular polarization in teaching laboratories. We also comment about biomimetism and the nanostructures that these insects show and how useful it can be for new technologies in Optics.
Keywords:
circularly polarization light; beetle; scarab; nanostructures; wave plates
