scholarly journals No evidence for polarization sensitivity in the pigeon electroretinogram

1995 ◽  
Vol 198 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-335 ◽  
Author(s):  
J J Vos Hzn ◽  
M A J M Coemans ◽  
J F W Nuboer
Keyword(s):  
White Light ◽  
Monochromatic Light ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Polarization Sensitivity ◽  
Slow Rotation ◽  
Unpolarized Light ◽  
Linearly Polarized

The electroretinographical response to flashes of linearly polarized light directed at the pigeon's yellow field was compared with that to flashes of unpolarized light. This was carried out for white light and for monochromatic light of various wavelengths, including ultraviolet. In addition, responses to slow rotation of the E-vector of polarized light were measured. Neither the presence or absence of polarization, nor the orientation of the E-vector, influenced any of the electrophysiological variables that were monitored in these experiments.

scholarly journals Heading choices of flying Drosophila under changing angles of polarized light

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Mathejczyk ◽  
Mathias F. Wernet
Keyword(s):  
Incident Angle ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Slow Rotation ◽  
Visually Guided ◽  
Polarization Pattern ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
3D Printed

AbstractMany navigating insects include the celestial polarization pattern as an additional visual cue to orient their travels. Spontaneous orientation responses of both walking and flying fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to linearly polarized light have previously been demonstrated. Using newly designed modular flight arenas consisting entirely of off-the-shelf parts and 3D-printed components we present individual flying flies with a slow and continuous rotational change in the incident angle of linear polarization. Under such open-loop conditions, single flies choose arbitrary headings with respect to the angle of polarized light and show a clear tendency to maintain those chosen headings for several minutes, thereby adjusting their course to the slow rotation of the incident stimulus. Importantly, flies show the tendency to maintain a chosen heading even when two individual test periods under a linearly polarized stimulus are interrupted by an epoch of unpolarized light lasting several minutes. Finally, we show that these behavioral responses are wavelength-specific, existing under polarized UV stimulus while being absent under polarized green light. Taken together, these findings provide further evidence supporting Drosophila’s abilities to use celestial cues for visually guided navigation and course correction.

Shade-seeking behaviour under polarized light by the brittlestar Ophioderma Brevispinum (Echinodermata: Ophiuroidea)

1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 761-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sönke Johnsen ◽  
William M. Kier
Keyword(s):  
Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Random Distribution ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Solar Ultraviolet Radiation ◽  
Unpolarized Light ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Solar Ultraviolet ◽  
Marine Laboratory

The effect of polarized light on the shade-seeking behaviour of the ophiuroid Ophioderma brevispinum was investigated at the Keys Marine Laboratory, Long Key, Florida, USA. Animals were collected and placed in a partially shaded arena. When the arena was illuminated with unpolarized light, the number of animals settling under the shaded portion of the arena was not significantly different from random (N=30, P>0.3). When the arena was illuminated with linearly polarized light, the number of animals settling in the shaded portion of the arena was approximately double what would be expected in a random distribution (N=30, P<0.001). The results are further evidence that O. brevispinum is sensitive to polarized light and are consistent with the hypothesis that polarized light may be used by the animals as an indicator of harmful levels of solar ultraviolet radiation.

Polarization vision in cuttlefish in a concealed communication channel?

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (9) ◽  
pp. 2077-2084
Author(s):  
N Shashar ◽  
P Rutledge ◽  
T Cronin
Keyword(s):  
Polarized Light ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Polarization Sensitivity ◽  
Polarization Vision ◽  
Microscopical Examination ◽  
Polarization Pattern ◽  
Behavioral Experiments ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Electron Microscopical

Polarization sensitivity is well documented in marine animals, but its function is not yet well understood. Of the cephalopods, squid and octopus are known to be sensitive to the orientation of polarization of incoming light. This sensitivity arises from the orthogonal orientation of neighboring photoreceptors. Electron microscopical examination of the retina of the cuttlefish Sepia officinalis L. revealed the same orthogonal structure, suggesting that cuttlefish are also sensitive to linearly polarized light. Viewing cuttlefish through an imaging polarized light analyzer revealed a prominent polarization pattern on the arms, around the eyes and on the forehead of the animals. The polarization pattern disappeared when individuals lay camouflaged on the bottom and also during extreme aggression display, attacks on prey, copulation and egg-laying behavior in females. In behavioral experiments, the responses of cuttlefish to their images reflected from a mirror changed when the polarization patterns of the reflected images were distorted. These results suggest that cuttlefish use polarization vision and display for intraspecific recognition and communication.

scholarly journals Interactions of Linearly Polarized and Unpolarized Light on Kiwifruit Using Aquaphotomics

Molecules ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 494
Author(s):  
Damenraj Rajkumar ◽  
Rainer Künnemeyer ◽  
Harpreet Kaur ◽  
Jevon Longdell ◽  
Andrew McGlone
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Bound Water ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Nir Spectroscopy ◽  
Soluble Solids ◽  
Unpolarized Light ◽  
Standard Normal Variate ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Solids Content

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is an important tool for predicting the internal qualities of fruits. Using aquaphotomics, spectral changes between linearly polarized and unpolarized light were assessed on 200 commercially grown yellow-fleshed kiwifruit (Actinidia chinensis var. chinensis ‘Zesy002’). Measurements were performed on different configurations of unpeeled (intact) and peeled (cut) kiwifruit using a commercial handheld NIR instrument. Absorbance after applying standard normal variate (SNV) and second derivative Savitzky–Golay filters produced different spectral features for all configurations. An aquagram depicting all configurations suggests that linearly polarized light activated more free water states and unpolarized light activated more bound water states. At depth (≥1 mm), after several scattering events, all radiation is expected to be fully depolarized and interactions for incident polarized or unpolarized light will be similar, so any observed differences are attributable to the surface layers of the fruit. Aquagrams generated in terms of the fruit soluble solids content (SSC) were similar for all configurations, suggesting the SSC in fruit is not a contributing factor here.

scholarly journals Heading choices of flying Drosophila under changing angles of polarized light

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Mathejczyk ◽  
Mathias F. Wernet
Keyword(s):  
Incident Angle ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Green Light ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Open Loop ◽  
Slow Rotation ◽  
Visually Guided ◽  
Polarization Pattern ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
3D Printed

SummaryMany navigating insects include the celestial polarization pattern as an additional visual cue to orient their travels. Spontaneous orientation responses of both walking and flying fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) to linearly polarized light have previously been demonstrated. Using newly designed modular flight arenas consisting entirely of off-the-shelf parts and 3D-printed components we present individual flying flies with a slow and continuous rotational change in the incident angle of linear polarization. Under such open-loop conditions, single flies choose arbitrary headings with respect to the angle of polarized light and show a clear tendency to maintain those chosen headings for several minutes, thereby adjusting their course to the slow rotation of the incident stimulus. Importantly, flies show the tendency to maintain a chosen heading even when two individual test periods under a linearly polarized stimulus are interrupted by an epoch of unpolarized light lasting several minutes. Finally, we show that these behavioral responses are wavelength-specific, existing under polarized UV stimulus while being absent under polarized green light. Taken together, these findings provide further evidence supporting Drosophila’s abilities to use celestial cues for visually guided navigation and course correction.

scholarly journals The linearly polarized light field in clear, tropical marine waters: spatial and temporal variation of light intensity, degree of polarization and e-vector angle

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (14) ◽  
pp. 2461-2467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas W. Cronin ◽  
Nadav Shashar
Keyword(s):  
Light Field ◽  
Marine Invertebrates ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Florida Keys ◽  
Degree Of Polarization ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Polarization Sensitivity ◽  
Marine Animals ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Vector Angle

SUMMARYSensitivity to polarized light is widespread among marine animals, including crustaceans, cephalopods and some fishes. They use this ability to orient and find prey, and possibly for a number of other visual tasks. Unlike the ultraviolet-sensitive polarization receptors of most insects, the polarization receptors of marine invertebrates tend to be maximally sensitive near 500nm, suggesting that polarized light in water differs from that in air. The underwater field of partially linearly polarized light has been studied for nearly 50 years, but data are still limited and sparse. We measured the submarine polarized light field from 350 to 600nm throughout the day on a coral reef in the Florida Keys at a depth of 15m using the underwater laboratory Aquarius as a research platform. Our results show that the angle of polarization as viewed along any given line of sight at this depth is a relatively simple function of solar position and that the degree of polarization is greatest 60–90° from the sun. Both e-vector angle and degree of polarization vary only slightly with wavelength, although light is sometimes less polarized in the ultraviolet. Since light is most intense at medium wavelengths and polarization is nearly maximal at these wavelengths, invertebrate polarization photoreceptors are spectrally well placed. Also, the relative spectral constancy of the angle and degree of polarization supports fish polarization sensitivity, which relies on spectrally diverse photoreceptor sets.

scholarly journals Polarization-Sensitive Light Sensors Based on a Bulk Perovskite MAPbBr3 Single Crystal

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 1238
Author(s):  
Yuan Wang ◽  
Laipan Zhu ◽  
Cuifeng Du
Keyword(s):  
Single Crystal ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Light Polarization ◽  
Polarization Sensitivity ◽  
Anisotropy Ratio ◽  
Spin Orbit Coupling ◽  
Band Tail ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Halide Perovskites ◽  
Shed Light

Organic-inorganic halide perovskites have attracted much attention thanks to their excellent optoelectronic performances. Here, a bulk CH3NH3PbBr3 (MAPbBr3) single crystal (SC) was fabricated, whose temperature and light polarization dependence was investigated by measuring photoluminescence. The presence of obvious band tail states was unveiled when the applied temperature was reduced from room temperature to 78 K. Temperature dependence of the bandgap of the MAPbBr3 SC was found to be abnormal compared with those of traditional semiconductors due to the presence of instabilization of out-of-phase tail states. The MAPbBr3 SC revealed an anisotropy light absorption for linearly polarized light with an anisotropy ratio of 1.45, and a circular dichroism ratio of up to 9% was discovered due to the spin-orbit coupling in the band tail states, exhibiting great polarization sensitivity of the MAPbBr3 SC for the application of light sensors. These key findings shed light on the development of potential optoelectronic and spintronic applications based on large-scaled organic-inorganic perovskite SCs.

scholarly journals Extraocular sensitivity to polarized light in an echinoderm.

1994 ◽  
Vol 195 (1) ◽  
pp. 281-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Johnsen
Keyword(s):  
Polarized Light ◽  
Individual Preference ◽  
Polarization Sensitivity ◽  
Unpolarized Light ◽  
Orientation Experiment

This study tests the hypotheses that the birefringent calcite and stereom structure of the brittlestar (Ophiuroidea, Echinodermata) endoskeleton polarizes light and that certain brittlestars respond to polarized light. The first hypothesis was tested in Ophioderma brevispinum by examining ossicles from freshly killed specimens under polarized light. This analysis revealed that the lateral arm shields, oral arm shields, arm spines and aboral disk ossicles are dichroic and thus polarize light. The second hypothesis was tested in two orientation experiments under polarized light. The results from the first orientation experiment showed (1) that, under polarized light, animals oriented significantly and unimodally, (2) that, under polarized light with the e-vector perpendicular to that in 1, animals oriented significantly and unimodally to within 18 degrees of the bearing of the animals in 1, and (3) that, under unpolarized light, animals did not orient significantly. The results from the second orientation experiment showed that, under polarized light, animals oriented significantly and unimodally to within 17 degrees of an individual preference previously established under polarized light; but under unpolarized light, animals did not orient significantly to an individual preference established under polarized light. Thus, O. brevispinum orients under polarized, but not unpolarized, light. The unimodal orientation and lack of consistent alignment with the e-vector suggest that polarized light is not used as a directional cue but instead as a signal to sustain oriented behavior. The dichroism of the ossicles of O. brevispinum and the animal's capacity (though eyeless) to discriminate between polarized and unpolarized light suggest that the mechanism of polarization sensitivity may rely on polarizing filters built from the animal's skeleton.

scholarly journals Why do horseflies need polarization vision for host detection? Polarization helps tabanid flies to select sunlit dark host animals from the dark patches of the visual environment

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (11) ◽  
pp. 170735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gábor Horváth ◽  
Tamás Szörényi ◽  
Ádám Pereszlényi ◽  
Balázs Gerics ◽  
Ramón Hegedüs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polarized Light ◽  
Degree Of Polarization ◽  
Polarization Sensitivity ◽  
Host Animal ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Imaging Polarimetry ◽  
Host Detection ◽  
Vegetation Region ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Polarization Of Light

Horseflies (Tabanidae) are polarotactic, being attracted to linearly polarized light when searching for water or host animals. Although it is well known that horseflies prefer sunlit dark and strongly polarizing hosts, the reason for this preference is unknown. According to our hypothesis, horseflies use their polarization sensitivity to look for targets with higher degrees of polarization in their optical environment, which as a result facilitates detection of sunlit dark host animals. In this work, we tested this hypothesis. Using imaging polarimetry, we measured the reflection–polarization patterns of a dark host model and a living black cow under various illumination conditions and with different vegetation backgrounds. We focused on the intensity and degree of polarization of light originating from dark patches of vegetation and the dark model/cow. We compared the chances of successful host selection based on either intensity or degree of polarization of the target and the combination of these two parameters. We show that the use of polarization information considerably increases the effectiveness of visual detection of dark host animals even in front of sunny–shady–patchy vegetation. Differentiation between a weakly polarizing, shady (dark) vegetation region and a sunlit, highly polarizing dark host animal increases the efficiency of host search by horseflies.

scholarly journals THE ORIENTATION OF THE E-VECTOR OF LINEARLY POLARIZED LIGHT DOES NOT AFFECT THE BEHAVIOUR OF THE PIGEON COLUMBA LIVIA

1994 ◽  
Vol 191 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Coemans ◽  
J Hzn ◽  
J Nuboer
Keyword(s):  
Polarized Light ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Light Polarization ◽  
Homing Pigeon ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Polarization Sensitivity ◽  
Directional Response ◽  
Linearly Polarized ◽  
Vector Orientation ◽  
Indirect Reference

Orientation with reference to the time-compensated sun-azimuth compass has been established for the homing pigeon Columba livia. Previous qualitative studies claim that pigeons are sensitive to the orientation of a polarizer and it has been suggested that these animals are able to use sky-light polarization as an indirect reference to the sun's position when the latter is shielded from view. We report experiments which were undertaken to quantify the sensitivity of the homing pigeon to the orientation of linearly polarized light. The results of our initial experiments suggested that the animals responded to secondary cues. Further experiments were carried out to avoid such artefacts. Under circumstances where secondary cues were rigorously avoided, we were, however, not able to demonstrate any directional response that was caused by the E-vector orientation of the illumination. These results throw doubt on the suggested polarization-sensitivity of birds in general.

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