An emerging imaging technology coined “Femto-Photography” boasts the ability to capture light traveling at one trillion frames per second!
Ramesh Raskar of MIT explains how this type of photographic technology captures the speed of light in slow motion. According to Raskar, femto-photography is the gateway to the capability of seeing around corners, beyond line of sight, and even see within the body. Applications for this technology include search and rescue, vehicle collision avoidance, robotics, and endoscopic medical treatments in situations that involve looking for, and avoiding obstacles in the body.
| Femto-Photography Inspiration | Tomato Test | The Raw Data |
| Coke Bottle Test Scene | Light in Slow Motion 1 | Light in Slow Motion 2 |
Raskar tested this method with the use of a water filled soda bottle and a laser pointer. Compiling the multiple frames, researchers created a time lapse video showing the path of light through the bottle from end to end. By slowing down the frame rate to ten billion FPS, you are able to see the beam pulse through the water. Once the light reaches the cap it scatters, as a result you see the light disperse back through the bottle and onto the table surface below.
Amazingly when the beam makes contact with the cap and reflects backwards it causes the water to subtly ripple, showing the force of the lights movement. This experiment is captured in less than a nanosecond, which is the speed of light. We invite you to get the full affect of this technology by watching the video above.
Sources: MIT.edu / Mentalfloss.com