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Trilobite eyes and the optics of Des Cartes and Huygens

Nature volume 254, pages 663–667 (1975)Cite this article

Abstract

The thick lenses in the aggregate eyes of a group oftrilobites were doublet structures designed to eliminate spherical aberration. The shape of the optically correcting interface is in accord with constructions by Des Cartes and Huygens and is dictated by a fundamental law of physics. Trilobites may have evolved such sophisticated eye-lenses to maximise optic neurone response in a dimly lit environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Grant Institute of Geology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland

    Euan N. K. Clarkson

  2. The Department of Physics, and The Enrico Fermi Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

    Riccardo Levi-Setti

Authors
  1. Euan N. K. Clarkson
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  2. Riccardo Levi-Setti
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Clarkson, E., Levi-Setti, R. Trilobite eyes and the optics of Des Cartes and Huygens. Nature 254, 663–667 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1038/254663a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/254663a0

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