A recent breakthrough in high-speed imaging has been achieved by innovator Brian Haidet, who unveiled a remarkable video capturing a laser beam at an astonishing 2 billion frames per second (fps). While the footage is technically a one pixel by one pixel recording, Haidet’s technique involves repeating the capture multiple times to create a full rendering, showcasing the fascinating possibilities of high-speed photography.
To reach this new milestone, Haidet completely overhauled his previous setup, which had already been impressive at 1 million fps. Since December 2022, he has upgraded nearly every component of his apparatus, including the motors, hardware, oscilloscope, signaling, recording software, and processing software. This extensive reconstruction allowed him to enhance both the speed and resolution of his recordings, resulting in stunning visual effects.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this setup is the observable phenomenon where light appears to travel faster when approaching the camera compared to when it is moving away. This effect is an artifact of the experimental setup, where laser beams reflecting off fog particles closer to the camera reach the recording device sooner than those bouncing back from further distances. This visual representation of special relativity adds a captivating layer to Haidet’s work, effectively illustrating complex scientific principles in a practical experiment conducted in his garage.
For those interested in delving deeper into this project, additional material is available that explores the technical details and implications of Haidet’s findings. His work not only highlights the potential of high-speed imaging but also opens up discussions about the nature of light and perception, making it a significant contribution to both the fields of photography and physics.
