Seeing sound: Carnegie Mellon's laser breakthrough in imaging

The device, created by a team from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, represents a true revolution. It is not just an ordinary camera—it can capture sounds and convert them into images using specialized laser technology. The absence of a conventional microphone makes this camera an extraordinary tool.

Synesthesia is a phenomenon where senses combine in unusual ways—some people may see sounds or hear colours. Inspired by this concept, scientists decided to create a machine that mimics this phenomenon. Although it doesn't replicate a biological experience, the machine can "see" sounds.

The technology is based on laser measurements, which enable the camera to capture vibrations with exceptional precision. It can reproduce the sound of an entire orchestra, not just individual instruments. All of this is achieved without traditional methods of sound recording, like microphones. In transforming sound into image, the camera uses only light and precise measurements.

Mark Sheinin and his research team from the Image Lab of the Robotics Institute have made a significant leap in imaging technology. Building on previous projects, such as optical visual microphones developed by MIT, they have created a new quality in sound recording. The new system is not only more efficient but also less expensive to produce.

The device captures changes in noise structure through global and rotational snapshots. Algorithms process these changes into visualizations of vibrations, such as those from a guitar's soundboard, capturing even the slightest deviations.

This discovery has the potential to significantly impact the music, scientific, and technological industries. This technology is not just a curiosity; it offers new tools for analyzing and imaging sounds in unprecedented ways. More details about the project can be found on the website dedicated to the invention. Scientists believe this is just the beginning of a long journey in developing this technology.