A team of scientists from the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Washington have reported the discovery of a new color, 'olo,' which cannot be seen by the naked eye.
The hue, described as a deeply saturated teal, was revealed through the use of advanced laser technology.
The color was made visible using a technique known as 'Oz,' a method that stimulates the photoreceptors in the human eye with laser pulses.
The breakthrough was achieved after researchers used the Oz technology to target individual photoreceptors in the eye, specifically the M-cones, which are responsible for detecting green wavelengths.
The experiment was conducted with five participants who were able to perceive olo after exposure to the laser stimulation.
While the color is not new in a physical sense—existing beyond the typical spectrum of human vision—it has never been seen by humans before.
The technology, which employs highly stable laser microdoses, is currently used for eye disease research, and researchers are exploring its potential applications for treating color blindness.
The color olo has been described as a vibrant blue-green, similar to teal but with unprecedented saturation. It cannot be rendered on current digital displays or virtual reality systems due to its unique properties.
The discovery has ignited discussions about the boundaries of human perception and the potential for future advancements in visual technology.
Researchers are also considering whether the technique could eventually aid those with color blindness by directly stimulating the correct photoreceptors in their eyes.
However, the miniaturization of this technology for broader use remains a distant goal.
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