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Mt/Ia) KQ I N-L/2: Log Odaptotion BR, Ghtness Foo Tomber S, - Footlamber 5 45 CD M

1) The document presents data from several studies on the dependence of contrast threshold on background illumination for the human rod visual system. 2) The data shows that under scotopic (rod-dominated) conditions, the contrast threshold falls as the inverse square root of the background illumination level, consistent with the "square root law", rather than Weber's law. 3) More recent studies using sinusoidal luminance gratings also found that contrast sensitivity follows the square root law over most of the scotopic range, becoming consistent with Weber's law only at very low spatial frequencies or in the far retinal periphery.

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29 views1 page

Mt/Ia) KQ I N-L/2: Log Odaptotion BR, Ghtness Foo Tomber S, - Footlamber 5 45 CD M

1) The document presents data from several studies on the dependence of contrast threshold on background illumination for the human rod visual system. 2) The data shows that under scotopic (rod-dominated) conditions, the contrast threshold falls as the inverse square root of the background illumination level, consistent with the "square root law", rather than Weber's law. 3) More recent studies using sinusoidal luminance gratings also found that contrast sensitivity follows the square root law over most of the scotopic range, becoming consistent with Weber's law only at very low spatial frequencies or in the far retinal periphery.

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© © All Rights Reserved
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282 R. M. SHAPLEY AND C.

ENROTH-CUGELL
3

~5.6
2

-7 6 -5 q -3 2 ] 0 1 5
Log o d a p t o t i o n b r , g h t n e s s {foo~ t o m b e r ~ s,- I f o o t L a m b e r ~ = 5 4 5 cd m )

FIG. 10. The dependence of the Weber contrast threshold on background illumination. The test targets were circular disks
on a large concentric background, viewed continuously. The test and background were neutral in color, and thresholds
were determined by the method of forced choice. The points are the average thresholds of ten subjects. Different sized
test targets generated the different curves, and the size of the target, in minutes of visual angle, is indicated for each curve.
The straight line drawn in at the lower left corner of the graph has a slope of - 1/2, which is the predicted slope of the
contrast threshold against background for the square root law. Modified from Blackwell (1946).

for the square root law equation (15) and Weber's in finding a maximal (Rayleigh) contrast sensitivity
Law equation (14). The contrast threshold, MT/I B, of between 20 and 30 (which is equivalent to a
becomes Weber contrast sensitivity of 1 0 - 15, in agreement
with Blackwell). Figure 11 is a plot of some of
Square root law Daitch and Green's data showing the dependence
(MT/Ia) = kQ I n- l/2 (17a) of scotopic contrast sensitivity on mean level.
The dependence on mean level of the (Rayleigh)
Weber's Law contrast sensitivity for gratings confirms the
(AIT/Ia) = kw. (17b) conclusion that the square root law rather than
Weber's Law dominates rod vision in humans
Behavior of this sort can be seen in Blackwell's data (Daitch and Green, 1969; Smith, 1973). The
Fig. 10. The contrast threshold falls roughly like the contrast sensitivities for very low spatial frequency
inverse square root over most of the scotopic range, gratings (less than 0.5 c/deg) level off to a Weber
though it is beginning to level off towards Weber's Law limit, but contrast sensitivities for higher
Law [equation (17b)] for the largest targets. Under spatial frequencies increase with the average level
the conditions of Blackwell's experiments, the rod of illumination, following the prediction of the
system does not enter into the Weber Law regime square root law, equation (17a). Therefore, the
before the cones take over. However, the results of shape of the "contrast sensitivity vs spatial
Koenderink et al. (1978) on contrast sensitivity as frequency" curves for steady viewing change with
a function of retinal eccentricity and mean level the average level. At low levels they are "low-pass"
suggest that, in the far periphery of the retina, functions which have their peak sensitivity at low
Weber's Law is achieved in the scotopic range even spatial frequency. At higher levels of illumination,
without the two-color procedure of Aguilar and there is a definite peak at an intermediate spatial
Stiles (1954). frequency, and a low spatial frequency " c u t o f f "
More recent studies of threshold contrast have (Daitch and Green, 1969; Smith, 1973). An
used a stimulus with a sinusoidal luminance profile analogous effect is seen in photopic human vision
[Fig. 1(B)]. There are three extensive studies on the (van Nes and Bouman, 1967).
(Rayleigh) contrast sensitivity of the rod system, by If one calculates how many quanta are available
van Nes and Bouman (1967), by Daitch and Green to detect threshold contrast, one is forced to admit
(1969), and by Smith (1973). These are consistent that quantal fluctuations must play a significant

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