Scientists have developed a new way that can enable a person to see through opaque objects with the help of light.
In 2007, Ivo Vellekoop and Allard Mosk at the University of Twente in Enschede, the Netherlands tried to shine a ray of visible light through a glass slide that was painted white and focused the ray on the other side of the glass. The scientists did not expect the experiment to work but it actually did.
Images created by visible light usually have higher resolution in comparison to the images produced with the help of x-rays since wavelengths interact with living molecules.
However, such interactions are complex to work on. When the visible light and organic molecule interact, the photons of the light are either absorbed or scattered by the organic molecule. The absorption of photons normally alters the image produced, which makes it unusable. On the other hand, if photons are scattered, scientists still have the option to unscramble them and produce an image.
Astronomers previously solved the problem of scattering with a technique called adaptive optics, which uses a process to compute and undo the blurred images of stars.
This method is not very easy to use on the body, made up of organic tissues, as they do not shine like stars. These tissues have to be brightened from the outside.
Continuing research aims to see from inside the living tissue. This method will allow doctors to observe tumors and the like without the need for exploratory surgery. MRIs and X-rays that are used today help to see inside the body; however, making observations with light is considered more efficient than conventional methods.
The scientists used the new light technique to see through the thin ear tissue of lab mice and other opaque objects. However, further research is needed to understand how the technique can be implemented to see inside a human body.
Researchers are confident that the technique will have positive implications in the medical industry.
