LARRUZFounder | Author & Creator of BYOAI

Capturing Waves of Light With Femto-photography | Two Minute Papers #2

8 Aug 2015 · 2 min

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2:11

A short YouTube video (Two Minute Papers #2) by LARRUZ explaining advances in ultra-high-speed imaging. It compares ordinary video (25–60 fps) and slow-motion cameras (thousands fps) to a research system able to capture about 1 trillion frames per second, uses a thought experiment ("140 photographs per person") to illustrate the scale, and highlights work from MIT and the University of Zaragoza that visualizes light as it travels. The video points viewers to the paper in the description for details.

Questions this video answers

1 trillion frames per second.

About 140 photographs per person in one second.

LARRUZ.

Chapters

A movie that we watch in the TV shows us from 25 to about 60 images per second. In computer graphics, these images were referred to as frames. A slow motion camera can capture up to the order of thousands of frames per second. Providing breathtaking footages like this, one can quickly discover the beauty of even the most ordinary, mundane moments of nature. But if you think this is slow motion, then take a look at this. Computer graphics researchers have been working on a system that is able to capture 1 trillion frames per second. How much is that exactly? Well, it means that if every single person who lives on Earth would be able to help us, then every single one of us would have to take about 140 photographs in one second. And we would then need to add all of these photographs up to obtain only one second of footage. What is all this good for? Well, for example, capturing light as an electromagnetic wave as it hits and travels along objects in space. Like the wall that you see here. Physicists used to say that there is a really, really short instance of time when you stand in front of the mirror, you look at it, and there is no mirror image in it. It is completely black. What is this wizardry and how is this possible? Since Einstein we know that the speed of light is finite. It is not instantaneous. It takes time to travel from the light source, hit the mirror, and end up hitting your eye for you to see your mirror reflection. Researchers at MIT and the University of Zaragoza have captured this very moment. Take a look. It is an enlightening experience. The paper is available in the description box, and it's a really enjoyable read. A sizable portion of it is understandable for everyone, even without mathematical knowledge. All you need is just a little imagination. Thanks for watching and I'll see you next week.