Through the use of the limited materials palette, optimally designed micro- and nanostructures, and tightly regulated processes, nature demonstrates exquisite control of light–matter interactions at various length scales. In fact, control of light–matter interactions is an important element in the evolutionary arms race and has led to highly engineered optical materials and systems. In this review, we present a detailed summary of various optical effects found in nature with a particular emphasis on the materials and optical design aspects responsible for their optical functionality. Using several representative examples, we discuss various optical phenomena, including absorption and transparency, diffraction, interference, reflection and antireflection, scattering, light harvesting, wave guiding and lensing, camouflage, and bioluminescence, that are responsible for the unique optical properties of materials and structures found in nature and biology. Great strides in understanding the design principles adapted by nature have led to a tremendous progress in realizing biomimetic and bioinspired optical materials and photonic devices. We discuss the various micro- and nanofabrication techniques that have been employed for realizing advanced biomimetic optical structures.

中文翻译：

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生物光学和生物启发性光学材料

通过使用有限的材料调色板，优化设计的微结构和纳米结构以及严格控制的过程，自然界展示了在各种长度尺度上对光-物质相互作用的精确控制。实际上，控制光与物质的相互作用是进化军备竞赛中的重要元素，并导致了光学材料和系统的高度工程化。在这篇评论中，我们将介绍自然界中发现的各种光学效应的详细摘要，特别着重于负责其光学功能的材料和光学设计方面。我们使用几个有代表性的示例来讨论各种光学现象，包括吸收和透明，衍射，干涉，反射和抗反射，散射，光收集，波导和透镜，伪装和生物发光，负责自然和生物学中发现的材料和结构的独特光学特性。在理解自然界适用的设计原理方面取得了长足的进步，从而在实现仿生和仿生光学材料和光子器件方面取得了巨大进步。我们讨论了用于实现高级仿生光学结构的各种微细加工和纳米加工技术。