In a world where the spectrum of colors seems completely explored, scientists at the University of Berkeley, California, have made a surprising announcement. They have claimed to have discovered a new color that challenges everyday visual experience. This finding has sparked great interest in the scientific field due to its potential to expand understanding of how we see.
The team has named this new color "olo," a shade never before recorded in common human perception. However, this color isn't visible to everyone nor can it be seen with the naked eye. In fact, only five people have managed to see the color thanks to an innovative technique based on laser stimulation.
A new shade that challenges human perception: the color we can't see yet
The technology used, known as the Oz Vision System, allows selective activation of certain cones in the retina using a laser. This way, the natural limits of the eye are expanded, making it possible to perceive this blue-green color with unprecedented saturation. This system takes its name from the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz, symbolizing the ability to see beyond the usual.
The truly revolutionary aspect of this technique is that it doesn't modify the light spectrum, but instead manipulates the spatial distribution of light on the retina. This phenomenon, called spatial metamerism, differs from traditional spectral metamerism, the method by which devices reproduce colors by combining different wavelengths.
The cones in the human retina are divided into three types, sensitive to long (L), medium (M), and short (S) wavelengths. The experiment focused on stimulating the M cones, which normally aren't activated naturally. This made it possible to create a completely unprecedented visual experience, far removed from everyday perception.
Science opens doors to new ways of seeing the world
The researchers have explained that "olo" presents a much higher level of saturation than any known color. According to Austin Roorda, a scientist on the team, it's impossible to represent this color on a screen or in a photograph; digital perception can only offer a faded version compared to the real experience.
Beyond scientific interest, this breakthrough opens the door to relevant practical applications. The technology could help in the development of treatments for people with color blindness, making it easier for them to perceive colors that are currently indistinguishable.
The results of the study have been published in the journal Science Advances, where both the method and the implications of the discovery are detailed. Thus, this new color not only challenges our current knowledge, but it could also redefine the future of human vision.