The Lycurgus Cup: Nanotechnology in Ancient Glassware
The Lycurgus Cup: Nanotechnology in Ancient Glassware The Lycurgus Cup, a fascinating artifact from the Roman Empire, blurs the line between ancient art and science. Dating back to the 4th century CE, this chalice of dichroic glass is renowned for its ability to change color depending on the light source. Under front lighting, the cup appears green, but when backlit, it transforms into a vibrant red. This stunning optical effect is a product of nanoparticles of gold and silver embedded in the glass—a level of technological sophistication rediscovered only in the 20th century. The Secret Behind the Colors of the Lycurgus Cup The Lycurgus Cup’s mesmerizing ability to shift colors is a result of a phenomenon called dichroism, a rare optical effect caused by the precise interplay of light and nanoparticles embedded in its glass. The nanoparticles, consisting of minuscule […]
