American scientists announced the discovery of a new color that no one had ever seen before. About this informs The Guardian.
Researchers from the University of California at Berkeley reported the discovery of a unique shade, which was named “olo” – derived from the digital code 010, which symbolizes the activation of only one type of retinal cells. The new color is described as similar to turquoise, but deeper, richer and with unique shades.
Human vision functions thanks to three types of photoreceptors — cones sensitive to long (L), medium (M) and short (S) wavelengths of light. Seeing the new color became possible thanks to the use of laser technology that allows to activate only individual cells of the retina – in particular, M-cones, which respond to light of medium wavelength.
Usually these cells are activated together with others, and there is no light in nature that would stimulate only them. But the scientists managed to precisely affect the M-cones, which allowed the five participants of the experiment to see a shade that cannot be reproduced on any screen or projector.
Although some experts, including Professor John Barbour from London, question the novelty of the discovery, calling it “just an intense shade of green”, the authors of the study are convinced: it is a completely new visual experience.
The technology used, called Oz Vision, helps to better understand the mechanisms of visual information processing by the brain and has prospects not only in the study of color perception, but also in the medical field – in particular for the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases such as color blindness. Researchers emphasize that human vision still holds unknown possibilities, and with the help of new technologies, we are only beginning to open the limits of what our eyes can really see.
Фото: theguardian.com
