In a groundbreaking study, a team of scientists in the US has unveiled a new color called 'Olo'. This extraordinary discovery was made by employing lasers to stimulate specific cells in the retina, pushing human perception beyond its natural boundaries and creating a unique visual experience that has never been seen before.
Despite humans having explored various regions on Earth and encountered numerous forms of life, a group of researchers asserts that there is still much to discover. During an innovative experiment, the scientists fired laser pulses directly into the eyes of participants to stimulate cells in their retinas. This stimulation allowed them to perceive a color they described as blue-green, though the researchers noted that this term does not fully encapsulate the richness of the experience.
Ren Ng, an electrical engineer at the University of California, Berkeley, expressed amazement, stating, “We predicted from the beginning that it would look like an unprecedented color signal, but we didn’t know what the brain would do with it. It was jaw-dropping. It’s incredibly saturated.”
While the team confirmed that the hue they named 'Olo' can only be experienced through the laser manipulation of the retina, they shared an image of a turquoise square that hinted at the color's essence. Austin Roorda, a vision scientist on the research team, commented, “There is no way to convey that color in an article or on a monitor. The whole point is that this is not the color we see; it absolutely pales by comparison with the experience of Olo.”
Humans perceive colors through light interacting with color-sensitive cells known as cones in the retina. These cones are divided into three types: long (L), medium (M), and short (S) wavelength-sensitive cones. Natural light stimulates these cones, allowing us to see a spectrum of colors. However, the M cones are unique in that they are not stimulated by any natural light, which presents a limitation in color perception.
To overcome this barrier, the Berkeley team meticulously mapped out the retina's M cone positions, using a laser to fire tiny pulses of light that exclusively stimulated these cells. The results of their pioneering experiment were published in the journal Science Advances, revealing a patch of color in the visual field approximately twice the size of a full moon, visible only due to the exclusive stimulation of the M cones.
The name 'Olo' is derived from the binary code 010, signifying that only the M cones were activated during the experiment. This innovative approach to color perception opens new avenues for scientific exploration, yet it also raises questions about practical applications.
Despite the significance of this discovery, Ng cautions that “this is basic science.” He emphasized that we will not see 'Olo' represented on any smartphone displays, televisions, or even in virtual reality technology in the near future. The findings highlight the remarkable potential of human perception while also acknowledging the limitations of current technology.
This discovery not only expands our understanding of color perception but also challenges our perceptions of what is visually possible. As researchers continue to explore the boundaries of human vision, the color 'Olo' stands as a testament to the uncharted territories of sensory experience.
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