MIT researchers create visionary optic fibers

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A sphere-shaped web of photo-detecting fibers developed by MIT scientists can sense the optical properties of the entire volume of space around it as well as detect the source of incoming light. Image courtesy Greg Hren
A sphere-shaped web of photo-detecting fibers developed by MIT scientists can sense the optical properties of the entire volume of space around it, as well as detect the source of incoming light. Image courtesy / Greg Hren

In a radical departure from conventional lens-based optics, MIT scientists have developed a sophisticated optical system made of mesh-like webs of light-detecting fibers. The fiber constructs, which have a number of advantages over their lens-based predecessors, are currently capable of measuring the direction, intensity and phase of light (a property used to describe a light wave) without the lenses, filters or detector arrays that are the classic elements of optical systems such as eyes or cameras.


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