From: pcdhSpamMeSenseless@electrooptical.net   
      
   Michal Wlodarczyk  wrote:   
   > Hello,   
   >   
   > As a slightly seasonal / curiosity-driven question around Christmas time,   
   > I am wondering whether it is feasible to fabricate *edible* optical   
   > thin-film structures such as mirrors or interference filters producing   
   > vivid colors, not achievable by food coloring.   
   >   
   > In particular, I am thinking about multilayer stacks requiring alternating   
   > high-index and low-index materials.   
   >   
   > For the high-index layers, sugars (e.g. sucrose) or sugar alcohols   
   > (xylitol, sorbitol) came to mind, as they can form transparent solids   
   > and are obviously edible.   
   >   
   > Low-index materials seem more problematic. However, since the required   
   > thicknesses are very small, full edibility might not be strictly necessary   
   > - non-toxic materials could be acceptable.   
   > Silicone oil or other volatile oils may be useful.   
   >   
   > Has anyone explored methods for manufacturing of such structures?   
   > Is it possible to evaporate it in vacuum?   
   > Maybe you have alternative concepts for edible or food-compatible photonic   
   > structures?   
   >   
   > Best regards,   
   > Michal Wlodarczyk   
   >   
      
   Well, there was the edible laser..   
      
   Ted Haensch published a fun review of some of that stuff.   
   https://blog.everydayscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/edible-las   
   r_one-drop-laser.pdf   
      
      
   Cheers   
      
   Phil Hobbs   
      
   --   
   Dr Philip C D Hobbs  Principal Consultant  ElectroOptical Innovations LLC /   
   Hobbs ElectroOptics  Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics   
      
   --- SoupGate-DOS v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)