Scientists from the well-known institute in Massachusetts have managed to use a laser to transmit audio (music and speech) to a particular person without any receiving device: the future of audio and communication is born.
In a paper published in Optics Letters magazine, the team describes the development stages of the methods for transmitting music and voice in a revolutionary way.
“Our system can send remote sounds directly to a person's ear,” explains Charles M Wynn, author of the study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “It is the first to use lasers that are totally harmless to eyes and skin”.
The key factor of this research lies in the photoacoustic effect, i.e. the formation of sound waves which occurs as a result of the absorption of light by a material: in this specific case water vapor sprayed into the air.
This technique allowed the transmission of sound at a distance of 2 and a half meters and at the volume of 60 decibels (equal to a conversation in a crowded place).
What applications for this technology?
In terms of communication, this research could bring about important changes: imagine a situation of danger or kidnapping with the police managing to send instructions only to the ears of a hostage, without letting the kidnapper listen to them.
“We hope this will become a commercial technology soon,” the researcher is hoped Ryan M. Sullenberger. “There are many exciting applications.”
