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Circular polarization observed in bioluminescence

Abstract

While investigating circular polarization in luminescence1,2, and having found it in chemiluminescence3,4, we have studied bioluminescence because it is such a widespread and dramatic natural phenomenon5,6. We report here that left and right lanterns of live larvae of the fireflies, Photuris lucicrescens and Photuris versicolor, emit circularly polarized light of opposite sense.

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Wynberg, H., Meijer, E., Hummelen, J. et al. Circular polarization observed in bioluminescence. Nature 286, 641–642 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1038/286641a0

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