Rainbow peacock spiders enhance the resolving power of a diffraction grating by 200%

What is it about?

The special shape of the abdominal rainbow-iridescent setae of the peacock spiders (M. robinsoni and M. chrysomelas) allow the grating structures to disperse light at a resolution about two times higher than conventional flat 2D diffraction gratings with similar periods.

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Why is it important?

Our powerful bioinspired discovery could allow engineers to design and develop optical devices, especially spectrometers, with at least 50% smaller length scale (i.e. ~ an order of magnitude smaller volume). This reduction in spectrometer size could impact a wide array of applications, such as wearable devices that detect hazardous environments in war zones and natural disasters; and to reduce the precious weight and volume of space mission payloads. Therefore, a miniature spectrometer and light dispersive components will have significant impact to fields ranging from life sciences and biotechnology to material sciences and engineering.