How Color Perception Relates to Relativity in Human Vision

On April 18, 2025, researchers Michel Berthier, Valerie Garcin, Nicoletta Prencipe, and Edoardo Provenzi published The relativity of color perception, presenting a novel mathematical framework that integrates trichromacy and color opponency to explain relativistic aspects of human color perception.

The study explores how physical colors are transformed into perceived colors through human photoreceptors (LMS cones) and neural interactions. It connects color perception to relativity, referencing H. Yilmaz’s 1962 work on relativistic color phenomena. The authors propose a mathematical model based on trichromacy and Jordan algebras, using a single axiom to reconcile trichromacy with Hering’s opponency theory. This framework derives relativistic properties of perceived colors without additional assumptions, linking visual perception to relativity through theoretical principles rather than experimental data.

Human color perception is a remarkable sensory ability that allows us to interpret the world in vibrant detail. Recent research has revealed an intriguing link between this ability and quantum mechanics, offering new insights into how we see and inspiring technological innovations.

The Geometry of Color Perception

Color perception involves our eyes interpreting light’s electromagnetic waves through retinal cones, which send signals to the brain for processing. This process is not linear; instead, it follows a complex geometric structure known as hyperbolic geometry. Unlike Euclidean geometry, which describes flat spaces, hyperbolic geometry models curved spaces, such as saddle surfaces or cosmic phenomena.

This geometry explains how we perceive colors through curved relationships between hues, saturations, and brightness levels. It helps account for why certain colors appear more similar despite differing wavelengths, providing a framework for understanding color vision disorders.

Quantum Mechanics and Color Perception

Hyperbolic geometry’s role in modeling color perception mirrors its use in quantum mechanics, where it describes state spaces. This mathematical similarity suggests that principles from quantum theory could enhance our understanding of visual processing, potentially leading to new models explaining how the brain interprets colors.

This research has significant technological implications. By applying insights from hyperbolic geometry and quantum mechanics, we can improve color displays and sensors, enhancing accuracy and realism. Additionally, advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning could benefit from these models, improving image recognition algorithms used in various applications.

The intersection of color perception with hyperbolic geometry and quantum mechanics opens new avenues for both scientific understanding and technological innovation. As research progresses, it promises to deepen our knowledge of visual processing while driving advancements in technology that enhance how we interact with the world.