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Scientists Use Laser Stimulation to Reveal a New Color Beyond Human Vision

UC Berkeley researchers evoke 'olo,' a blue-green hue of unprecedented saturation, in a breakthrough study published on April 18, 2025.

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A closeup of an eye with a rainbow.
The colors we perceive have been dictated by the intricate workings of our eyes.
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Overview

  • The Oz system selectively activates individual M-cone cells in the retina using adaptive optics and laser technology, creating the perception of a new color named 'olo.'
  • Five participants reported seeing 'olo,' described as a highly saturated blue-green hue outside the natural human color gamut.
  • Color-matching experiments confirmed that 'olo' could only be matched by desaturating it with white light, validating its unique perceptual qualities.
  • The study, published in *Science Advances*, highlights potential applications in vision science, such as exploring color blindness therapies and advanced display technologies.
  • Some experts question whether 'olo' is truly a novel color, arguing it may be an extreme variant within the existing color spectrum.