Production and Transmission of Light

2/21/02


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Table of Contents

Production and Transmission of Light

Color

Light intensity (analogous to sound amplitude)

Light intensity variation

Color Spectra

Color has 3 dimensions

Sources of color

Pigments

Carotenoids

Melanin

Status badges in Harris sparrows

Chromatophores

Chameleons can change color

Cuttlefish have chromatophores

Structural colors

Interference

Interference in feathers

Beetles coat melanin with wax

Color by Scattering

Color by scattering

Bioluminescence

Habitat Transmission

Color filtering by habitat

Light reflectance

Light attenuation

Signal detection

Signalling may vary with habitat

Counter and reverse shading

Pattern contrast

Photon noise

Eye resolution

Shape enhancement

Optimal signal and background hues

Mammalian Eye

Rods and Cones

 Author: Jerry Wilkinson

Email: gw10@umail.umd.edu

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