The natural world is replete with examples of biological systems that have developed complex micro- and nano-scale structures to interact with light. Such structures, which include thin film multilayers, diffraction gratings, graded index layers and 2D and 3D photonic crystals, acting alone or in combination, allow the realization of a range of optical effects that would be impossible through the use of pigmentation alone. These effects range from the vivid iridescence observed on the skin of some species of bird, through the vibrant metallic sheen of some beetle species, to the dramatic interference patterns seen on the transparent wings of some species of fly. Lepidoptera (an order of insects that includes butterflies and moths) also provides a rich seam of examples of structural color ranging from the antireflective nipple arrays found on the eyes and wings of some species of moth to the photonic crystal structures producing vivid coloration on the wings of some butterfly species.

As these optical effects are a result of the scale of these structures being at or below that of visible light wavelengths, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is often used to explore their form and to offer insights into their function. Recently, helium ion microscopy (HIM) has emerged as a surface imaging technique, similar to SEM but with the benefits of higher resolution and a larger depth of field. Here, HIM is used to probe the structures responsible for a number of optical effects observed in Lepidopterans. Images will be presented showing the fine details of the ribs and cross-ribs found on the highly-absorbing black ground wing scales of Papilio ulysses (Blue Mountain Butterfly) and the complex gyroid 3D photonic crystal structure observed underneath the top lamina on vividly green wing scales from Parides sesostris (Emerald-patched Cattleheart). Other examples will include the antireflective close-packed nipple array on the wings of Cephonodes hylas (Pellucid Hawk Moth), and cross-sections of the multilayer structures that make up the various colored wing scales of Chrysiridia rhipheus (Madagascan Sunset Moth).

The integrated electron flood gun on the helium ion microscope is employed to neutralize charge build-up, allowing samples to be imaged without the need of a conductive coating. This ensures that the natural surface itself is imaged at high resolution and details are not obscured by coating artefacts. In addition, by taking advantage of the large depth of field available with HIM, stereo pairs are generated to extract information on the three-dimensional nature of these structures.

We present a Helium Ion Microscopy (HIM) study of carbon nanomembranes (CNMs). CNMs are extremely thin (~1 nm) nanolayers consisting only of surface. They are made via cross-linking of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) with large-area exposures of electrons, photons or helium ions and a subsequent transfer to suitable substrates. Patterned radiation exposures allow the fabrication of perforated nanomembranes, e.g., nanosieves. After annealing at temperatures above 800K, CNMs become conductive and eventually transform into graphene. HIM images of CNMs with different precursor molecules are shown, and images of graphene from SAMs are compared with the CVD grown graphene. Capabilities of the HIM imaging of freestanding CNMs and graphene will be discussed.