title: Optics of retinal oil droplets: a model of light collection and polarization detection in the avian retina.
abstract: A wave optical model was used to analyse the scattering properties of avian retinal oil droplets. Computations for the near field region showed that oil droplets perform significant light collection in cone photoreceptors and so enhance outer segment photon capture rates. Scattering by the oil droplet of the principal cone of a double cone pair, combined with accessory cone dichroic absorption under conditions of transverse illumination, may mediate avian polarization sensitivity.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D010856:Columbidae; D008027:Light; D008954:Models, Biological; D009821:Oils; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation
chemical_list: D009821:Oils