Invertebrate superposition eyes-structures that behave like metamaterial with negative refractive index

D. G. Stavenga

doi:10.2971/jeos.2006.06010

Journal of the European Optical Society - Rapid publications, Vol 1 (2006)

Invertebrate superposition eyes-structures that behave like metamaterial with negative refractive index

D. G. Stavenga

Abstract

The superposition eyes of lobsters and moths are described with the geometrical optics for a refractive surface between two media, where the refractive index of the image space is negative. Consequently, the eye power and the object focal length are negative, whereas the image focal length is positive. The F-number is also negative, but the sign is irrelevant for calculations of the light sensitivity, because that depends on F2. The angular magnifications necessary for perfect focusing calculated for the superposition eyes of dung beetles diverge from measured values, and therefore the focus is distributed.

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