Innovator Captures Light’s Speed at 2 Billion Frames Per Second

A groundbreaking experiment has achieved the remarkable feat of capturing laser beams at an astonishing rate of 2 billion frames per second. Conducted by innovator Brian Haidet on his YouTube channel, AlphaPhoenix, this project pushes the boundaries of high-speed photography, offering a unique glimpse into the behavior of light.

In December 2022, Haidet had already made waves with a video camera that operated at 1 million frames per second. This time, he completely overhauled his setup to double the frame rate while significantly enhancing the resolution. The upgrades included new motors, advanced hardware, improved oscilloscopes, and refined recording and processing software. This comprehensive redesign allowed for a more detailed exploration of light phenomena.

One of the most intriguing outcomes of Haidet’s latest experiment is how light appears to travel at different speeds depending on its direction relative to the camera. When light reflects off fog particles closer to the lens, it seems to arrive sooner than light bouncing back from farther away. This phenomenon serves as a visual representation of special relativity, illustrating complex scientific concepts in a surprisingly accessible manner.

Haidet’s work is not just a technical achievement; it also opens doors to further exploration in the fields of physics and optics. By reconstructing his apparatus from the ground up, he highlights the importance of experimentation and innovation in scientific inquiry.

For those interested in delving deeper into the technical aspects of this project, Haidet has provided additional material that offers a more comprehensive understanding of the methods and technologies involved. This experiment stands as a testament to the curious spirit of scientific exploration, revealing the fascinating behavior of light in ways that are both engaging and educational.