It is impossible to transmit it on carriers, but they showed an approximate copy.

Scientists from the University of California (USA) announced that they have discovered a new color, resembling a rich green or turquoise shade. It can only be seen when a laser impacts the retina of the eye. According to them, the procedure stimulates individual cells, pushing their perception beyond natural boundaries.

Scientists discovered an entirely new color during laser impact on the eyes

The researchers provided an image of a turquoise square to give an idea of the color they named olo. However, they emphasized that the true shade can only be seen through laser manipulation. "This is not the color. It is merely a very similar copy," noted team member Austin Rurda.

Humans perceive colors in the surrounding world when light hits color-sensitive cells in the retina, known as cones. There are three types: L (sensitive to long wavelengths of light), M (to medium), and S (to short). For example, red light primarily stimulates L-cones, while blue predominantly activates S-cones. M-cones are in between, and there is no natural light that excites them alone.

The research team overcame this limitation by starting with mapping a small area of the retina to accurately determine the location of M-cones. They then applied a tiny light pulse to stimulate them. As a result, a colored spot appeared in the field of vision. The color exceeded the natural perception of the naked eye because the impact was directed exclusively at M-cones, which cannot be achieved with natural light.

Scientists believe that this discovery will aid in studying key questions about how the brain forms visual perception of the surrounding world. Other applications are also possible: through specialized stimulation of retinal cells, better understanding of the causes of color blindness and various eye diseases can be achieved.