Derivation of a unified transfer function in the theory of flicker.

In the study of the human vision system based on the temporal-modulation transfer-function curve, Kelly [J. Opt. Soc. Am. 59, 1665 (1969); 61, 537 (1971)] proposed two different diffusion models. In Kelly’s second model the theoretical results fitted well with his experimental data in a wide range of adaptation levels. However, from a mathematical point of view, this model was based on formal assumptions without reasonable justifications. The purpose here is to derive a new transfer function utilizing a more rigorous mathematical development and to show that it is compatible with Kelly’s two models.