GERMANY – A new technique for making visible infrared light could increase the power of resolution of the microscope, according to a study published yesterday by the journal Science.

Scientists at the University in Marburg, Germany, have developed a compound that converts infrared light in a broad band of white light. This efficient light is achieved in an inexpensive way and is able to generate sufficient visibility to human eyes.

The biggest added value of this new light is that it preserves the directionality of infrared rays, which means it is much more accurate than pure white light.

The researchers, led by Dr. Nils Rosemann Wilhelm, expect this quality can be leveraged to make more precise microscopes used for laboratory studies that require high magnification and resolution.

The new chemical compound is based on tin and sulphur and has a diamond structure surrounded with organic groups.

When a laser directs a beam of infrared light to this chemical compound, the diamond-shaped structure alters the wavelength of light.

The consequence of this change is that the light becomes intermittent, following a frequency that the human eye can capture.

This discovery could open new routes to the advancement of lighting techniques, especially because the materials used are inexpensive and easy to find.

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