Abstract
Previous studies of biologically mineralized crystals made of iron have focused on their magnetic properties, including strong magnetism and para magnetism, and many useful applications have been developed. Some studies have focused on organic crystals or crystals with diamagnetism, and have proven that utilizing magnetic fields of more than 0.5 T results in a magnetically-induced rotation of the crystal particles. The rotation of an appropriately shaped crystal particle can be detected by light reflection. In the present study, we demonstrate a newly discovered phenomenon associated with organic crystal particles in water. A cooperative light reflection phenomenon is observed when the micro-particles floating in water are rotated together. The organic crystal particles, made of guanine in a platelet-like shape of micrometer length, cause a cooperative light reflection pattern during magnetic field sweeps of up to 5 Tesla (T). This cooperative light reflection appears as peaks in the intensity of the reflected light. When the magnetic field is increased at a sweep rate of +1 T per minute, two peaks are detected at 0.5 T and at ∼1.5 T. After reaching 5 T, the reflected light is continuously measured until the magnetic field returns to 0 T. In over 10 minutes of magnetic field exposure, a final peak is frequently detected as a maximum intensity peak. The intensity enhancement is twice the randomly reflected light intensity in this maximum case. A model explaining this magnetically-controlled optical phenomenon in a group of platelet-like guanine particles is proposed.
Highlights
Combining the responsiveness of a biological material to applied external magnetic fields with its optical properties may lead to the development of useful new methodologies
One significant optical property observed in biological materials is a structural color formation that can be observed in a huge number of species
We explore the untested range of magnetic fields of over 1 T in this study
Summary
Combining the responsiveness of a biological material to applied external magnetic fields with its optical properties may lead to the development of useful new methodologies. One significant optical property observed in biological materials is a structural color formation that can be observed in a huge number of species.. One significant optical property observed in biological materials is a structural color formation that can be observed in a huge number of species.1–3 In most of these cases, the biological coloring is assisted by reflecting particles beneath the color-forming structure.. Guanine crystal particles have a platelet-like shape and are considered to be biologically evolved for efficient light control, creating an attractive color and modulating the light reflection intensity.. Guanine crystal particles have a platelet-like shape and are considered to be biologically evolved for efficient light control, creating an attractive color and modulating the light reflection intensity.7–9 The efficiency of this light-controlling biogenic optical device can be observed on the skins of most fish.. A careful measurement of the light reflection by the guanine particles with an increasing and decreasing superconducting magnetic field reveals a rapid enhancement in the light reflection when the alignment of the particles gradually becomes random under a decreasing magnetic field
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