News Physics

Lasers could send messages right to a listener’s ear

The new technique is the first of its kind that’s safe to use around humans

illustration of laser hitting man's ear

PLAY BY EAR  Audible messages can be sent straight to a listener’s ear using a new laser technique (illustrated).

Lincoln Laboratory/MIT

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

Lasers can send sounds straight to a listener’s ear, like whispering a secret from afar.

Using a laser tuned to interact with water vapor in the air, scientists created sounds in a localized spot that were loud enough to be picked up by human hearing if aimed near a listener’s ear.