Researchers have successfully demonstrated a new device that can scan individual characters of text from a distance of 1.36 kilometers, outperforming human eyesight by a significant margin. The technology, known as intensity interferometry, uses eight infrared laser beams to capture light reflections and rebuild an image.
In a study published in Physical Review Letters, scientists from the University of Science and Technology of China used two telescopes to measure the intensity of the reflected light. By carefully calibrating the laser beams, they were able to reconstruct images with a resolution enhancement of about 14 times over traditional telescopes.
The device achieved an impressive reading resolution of 3 mm at a distance of 1.36 kilometers, surpassing the limit of a single telescope by 42 mm. This breakthrough has significant implications for long-range camera technology, which is already used in space observatories and advanced physics experiments.
One of the key advantages of this technology is its ability to handle atmospheric turbulence and minimize camera setup imperfections. The researchers believe that further improvements are possible through better control of infrared laser lights and potential integration with AI algorithms.
Optics expert Shaurya Aarav from Sorbonne University praised the research, stating that it represents a significant technical advancement in imaging distant objects that do not emit their own light.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/this-laser-breakthrough-can-read-text-on-a-page-from-a-mile-away