The seeing power of frogs: Frogs can detect single photons of light
Tuesday, January 20, 2015 - 12:01
in Physics & Chemistry
A quantum light source demonstrates that light-sensitive cells in frog eyes can detect single photons. Miniature light detectors in frog eyes known as retinal rod cells are directly and unambiguously shown to detect single photons of light -- an astounding sensitivity considering that a humble 60 watt light bulb spews out a staggering 1020 photons per second.