In an exciting scientific breakthrough, researchers claim to have discovered a completely new colour—one never seen by the human eye before. The unusual colour, named “olo”, was observed during a unique experiment using laser technology.
What Exactly Is This ‘New Colour’?
A group of scientists in the United States have made headlines by revealing a colour they believe has never been seen by anyone before. This mysterious colour, described as a more intense shade of blue-green, has been named “olo”.
The colour was observed during an experiment where laser pulses were used to directly stimulate specific cells in the eyes of the participants.
How the Experiment Worked
Led by Prof Ren Ng from the University of California, the study was published in the respected journal Science Advances.
The experiment involved five participants—four men and one woman—all of whom had normal colour vision.
Three of the participants, including Prof Ng, were also authors of the study.
A laser beam was directed into one eye of each participant using a custom-built device called Oz.
This equipment includes mirrors, lasers, and optical tools, originally developed by scientists at UC Berkeley and the University of Washington, and later updated for this experiment.
The Science Behind It
Our ability to see colour comes from cone cells in the retina at the back of the eye. These cone cells are responsible for detecting different wavelengths of light, which the brain then interprets as colour.
There are three types of cone cells:
S cones – sensitive to blue light
M cones – sensitive to green light
L cones – sensitive to red light
What Makes ‘Olo’ Special?
In normal vision:
When one type of cone cell is stimulated, neighbouring cones are usually stimulated as well.
This overlap means that colours are always interpreted through a mix of signals from different cone types.
However, in this experiment:
Only the M cone cells were stimulated.
This unique, isolated stimulation caused the brain to perceive a colour that doesn’t occur in nature or everyday vision.
The participants compared the colour they saw to a highly saturated blue-green that felt completely new to them.
Prof Ng explained the experience by saying:
“It’s like living your whole life seeing only pastel pink. Then one day, you see a shirt in a dazzling, vibrant pink—and someone tells you, ‘That’s red’. That’s what olo felt like.”
Is This Really a ‘New Colour’?
Not everyone is convinced.
Prof John Barbur, a vision scientist from City St George’s, University of London, praised the experiment’s technique but questioned the conclusion.
He stated that the perception of a “new” colour might simply be a shift in how we interpret known colours due to unusual stimulation of the cone cells.
His concern:
If red cone cells are stimulated more than usual, people might see an intense red.
That change in perception doesn’t necessarily mean the colour is new—it could just be a variation in intensity or saturation.
What Could This Mean for the Future?
Despite the debate, Prof Ng and his team are optimistic. They believe this discovery could have practical benefits, especially in the field of colour blindness research.
By understanding how specific cone cells react to isolated stimulation, scientists might be able to develop new treatments or technologies to help those who struggle to see certain colours.
Prof Ng added:
“Olo is certainly technically difficult to see—but now that we know it can exist under certain conditions, we’re exploring what it could mean for people with colour vision deficiencies.”
Final Thoughts
While the discovery of “olo” might still be up for debate among experts, the experiment has opened up new questions about how we see colour—and what else might be hidden in the complex world of human vision.
This research not only challenges our understanding of colour perception but also opens the door for exciting developments in medical and optical science.
References
Science Advances, April 2025 – Study on isolated M-cone stimulation and new colour perception
BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme – Interview with Prof Ren Ng
Expert opinion by Prof John Barbur, City St George’s, University of London