THE EFFECT OF WAVELENGTH ON VISUAL ACUITY.

Abstract

Visual acuity was measured in monochromatic light at wavelengths between 440 and 660 nm. The test objects were gratings which filled a 1.5 degree circular field centered in a 30 degree neutral surround. Luminance contrast between adjacent bars was adjustable, and acuity thresholds were determined for different contrasts. It was found that acuity depends primarily on luminance contrast and only slightly on wavelength, so that the same luminance contrast yields similar acuity thresholds at all wavelengths provided that the test objects are equated in luminance. It is suggested that the dominant wavelength of a visual display system (such as a cathode ray screen) is relatively unimportant in the perception of fine detail. Instead, criteria such as grain size and available luminance are more important. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0646575

Entities

People

  • Carl Richard Cavonius

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Contrast
  • Display Systems
  • Grain Size
  • Luminance
  • Mental Processes
  • Monochromatic Light
  • Perception
  • Psychological Phenomena And Processes
  • Visual Acuity

Readers

  • Human-Computer Interaction (HCI).
  • Materials Science (Mechanical Engineering).
  • Spectroscopy.