Scattered Light Camera Sees Around Corners and Through Objects

A team from Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science has created a camera that takes scattered light and passes it through a device known as SLM, spatial light modulator.

Using the different phases of each wave, the camera extracts a relatively clear image of whatever lies around a corner or beyond objects.

The main limitation, so far, is scattered light itself. Long story short, the camera only works on translucent objects and materials, like ice and skin.

Looking around corners is actually easier, thanks to the light deflected from walls, doors and other nearby objects.

"The ability to image through inhomogeneous media is extremely valuable in numerous applications, ranging from astronomic observation through the turbulent atmosphere to microscopic imaging in turbid tissues," write the researchers.

"Between these extremes exist various mundane tasks such as looking at foggy scenes or peeking through shower curtains." It's good to see that they have their priorities straight.

Ori Katz, Eran Small, and Yaron Silberberg are the masterminds.