Luminance Difference Thresholds

Light, the physical stimulus to vision, may vary only in luminance, wavelength, and in its spatial and temporal distribution. Hence, it is not surprising that study of the operating characteristics of the visual system by psychophysical methods has long included study of luminance difference thresholds, along with studies of color-difference thresholds, acuity thresholds and flicker thresholds. Indeed, at one time or another luminance difference thresholds have played an important role in the elucidation of every known characteristic of the visual system. Let us begin by summarizing this illustrious history, then turn to a detailed consideration of the special place of luminance difference thresholds in contemporary visual psychophysics.

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