Research proves that light-sensitive cells in frog eyes can detect single photons
Wednesday, January 14, 2015 - 08:00
in Physics & Chemistry
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. Using a specially developed light source that generates single photons, a new A*STAR study finds that a rod cell has an almost one-in-three chance of detecting an incoming photon.