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Scientists have discovered a new colour called ‘Olo’, visible only through direct laser stimulation of the eye’s M cones. Described as more vivid than any screen can display, olo exists beyond the natural limits of human vision.
Berkeley Team Discovers Colour Never Seen by Human Eyes.
New Delhi: Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, achieved a remarkable scientific discovery when they discovered a new colour which exceeds the range of the visible spectrum for human vision. Scientists named the colour ‘olo’, but human eyes cannot detect it naturally, and only five people have seen it in laboratory conditions. The team describes this novel hue as the most saturated colour ever detected in visual science history. Scientific reports about Olo state that the colour is similar to peacock blue or teal, yet researchers agree these comparisons do not depict the intense vividness of the genuine perception.
Published in Science Advances, laboratory technology using lasers enables scientists to activate single M cones in the human retina, which cannot happen via natural light. The researchers achieved brain perception enhancement by directing their research towards medium wavelength-sensitive cells in the brain. Under current technology limitations the technique creates temporary visual access to a colour which remains unattainable for printing or screen display, thus keeping it inaccessible to the broader public.
Rewriting the rules of colour perception
Through L, M and S cones, the human eye detects colour sensations by processing red through long-wavelength responses, green through medium-wavelength responses and blue through short-wavelength responses. The combination of photoreceptor cells produces complete colour perception from natural light, but no single light source activates M cones independently. The Berkeley team solved this problem through a process of retina mapping to identify M cones exactly before activating them directly with a laser.
The unique colour ‘olo’ appears because of stimulating the M cones independently. An intense coloured area emerged that occupied about twice the space of a full moon shown in the viewer’s vision. The researchers named the colour ‘olo’ based on the binary code (010), which signifies M cones activation without involvement of L and S cones. Research teams state that printed representations or digital reproductions of olo fail to capture its true nature despite attempts at comparison with vibrant greens or teals.
Controversy and future implications
Not all experts are convinced. John Barbur from City St George’s University of London described the discovery as a strongly saturated version of the green hue. The research results showed restricted worth for laboratory environments only, according to his analysis. The Berkeley team identifies substantial value in this technological development. The system named after the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz shows useful applications in fields including colour blindness diagnosis and retinal disease study.
Public interest abounds, but the laboratory remains the only probable environment to witness olo in its current state. Researcher Ren Ng stated that olo technology will not appear on smartphone displays or TVs during this time period. The enigmatic nature of this hue means it stays out of human reach at this time.
Pragya is a Science and Technology reporter, has Master degree in Journalism, covering a range of stories including space, gadgets and how tech is transforming our lives. She has 4+ years of industry experience in Digital Media and Content Writing.
15+ years of practice in yoga philosophy to every day, and that’s one way she strive to build meaningful experiences.
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