Iridescence in nature is caused by a physical phenomenon whereby submicron cavities reflect ambient light off a surface spaced at the wavelength of the color of light being accentuated. Cavities tuned to, say, blue will interfere positively with incoming light of only that wavelength, reinforcing the reflected light—called constructive interference—thereby making the colors bright and shimmering as, for example, on a butterfly wing. Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) enable Qualcomm MEMS Technologies (San Diego) to mimic a butterfly wing with a micron-sized optical cavity housing an interferometer modulator (IMod)...
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