Optical function of the finite-thickness corrugated pellicle of Euglenoids

ANDRÉS DOLINKO; DIANA CARINA SKIGIN; MARINA INCHAUSSANDAGUE,

APPLIED OPTICS

OPTICAL SOC AMER

Lugar: Washington; Año: 2017 vol. 56 p. 5112 - 5120

0003-6935

We explore the electromagnetic response of the pellicle of selected species of euglenoids. These microorganisms are bounded by a typical surface pellicle formed by S-shaped overlapping bands that resemble a corrugated film. We investigate the role played by this structure in the protection of the cell against UV radiation. By considering the pellicle as a periodically corrugated film of finite thickness, we applied the C-method to compute the reflectance spectra. The far-field results revealed reflectance peaks with a Q-factor larger than 103 in the UV region for all the illumination conditions investigated. The resonant behavior responsible for this enhancement has also been illustrated by near-field computations performed by a photonic simulation method. These results confirmthat the corrugated pellicle of euglenoids shields the cell from harmful UV radiation and open up new possibilities for the design of highly UV-reflective surfaces.