Exploring Visual Adaptation at High Intensity Levels Using a Pulse-Probe Paradigm

Abstract

This report describes four experiments in which the temporal changes in visual adaptation that occur during exposure to a train of brief, high intensity discrete light pulses (over 8 log trolands) were explored using a pulse-probe paradigm. For this, the threshold for detecting a probe light stimulus was measured at various latencies with respect to a discretely modulated (pulse) background. Experiments I and II used a 10 ms probe, and explored forward and backward masking for repetitive pulse trains (3 Hz and 10 Hz) and for single pulses. Experiments III and IV also used 3 Hz and 10 Hz pulse trains, but varied the duration of the probe stimulus. The results indicate that asymmetries in the dynamics of forward and backward masking are evident at high intensity levels, that pulse trains induce a DC shift in light adaptation mechanisms, and that stimuli presented during the backward masking window can still contribute to the detection process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2006
Accession Number
ADA463033

Entities

People

  • Bret Z. Rogers
  • Laura E. Barnes
  • Peter A. Smith

Organizations

  • Northrop Grumman

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Contracts
  • Detection
  • Dynamics
  • Frequency
  • Instructions
  • Intensity
  • Light Sources
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Observers
  • Optical Phenomena
  • Optics
  • Radiation
  • Schematic Diagrams
  • White Light

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Vision Science/Vision Psychology/Cognitive Neuroscience.