Nano-Patterning of Diffraction Gratings on Human Hair for Cosmetic Purposes

Khawar Abbas,Bruce C Lamartine,Drew F Goettler,Zayd C Leseman

doi:10.4236/jcdsa.2014.43024

Abstract

A method is presented for nano-patterning a diffraction grating on human hair with a focused ion beam. Strands of brown hair are patterned with hyperbolas and Archimedean spirals whose pitches range from 540 nm to 1040 nm. Exposure of the hair strands to white light at various incident angles demonstrates that light of varying wavelengths is diffracted by the diffraction gratings. The diffraction causes the brown strands of hair to reflect light from the entire range of visible light.

Highlights

The practice of hair dying for cosmetic purposes has been around for several hundred years
In this paper we present a technique wherein nano-scale diffraction gratings are patterned on hair and could be used as an alternative to common hair dyeing treatments
This work successfully demonstrated the use of nano-scale patterning on human hair for cosmetic purposes

Summary

Introduction

The practice of hair dying for cosmetic purposes has been around for several hundred years. There are numerous commercially available products that are used in highlighting hair strands for cosmetic purposes to brighten and/or create unnatural hair colors for Halloween, football games, etc. Adverse effects of these synthetic hair dyes often range from skin discoloration and allergic irritations [2] to toxicity and cancer [3] [4]. In this paper we present a technique wherein nano-scale diffraction gratings are patterned on hair and could be used as an alternative to common hair dyeing treatments. How to cite this paper: Abbas, K., et al (2014) Nano-Patterning of Diffraction Gratings on Human Hair for Cosmetic Purposes. The present use and disposal of chemical dyes would be avoided

Focused Ion Beam Milling

Optical Observations

Summary and Conclusion