Laser light from peacocks? Florida Poly student research finds it in feathers

A Florida Polytechnic University student is attracting national attention through groundbreaking research revealing the presence of laser light from peacock feathers.

Anthony Fiorito , a senior physics major at the Lakeland-based institution, is the first author of a study highlighted in leading publications such as Science, Ars Technica, Interesting Engineering and MSN. The study found that vibrantly colored tail feathers from peacocks include a special fluorescent dye, allowing them to emit precise laser light at specific and consistent colors.

The research was initially published in the journal Scientific Reports .

“The attention has been surprising, but it’s because the research is really cool,” said Fiorito, who worked under the guidance of Nathan Dawson , associate pro