Spatial contrast detection for colour patterns under selective chromatic adaptation

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This paper reports the results of a fundamental study investigating the filtering characteristics of the colour mechanisms that encode spatial information. The shape of the contrast sensitivity function of the human visual system with red, green and blue stimuli was investigated under selective chromatic adaptation, and at eccentricities of 0°, 13° and 26°. The results are compared with those obtained with an achromatic test, at the same eccentricities. The band-pass character of the contrast sensitivity function is brought to light for the three selective chromatic adaptation states obtained. It is more pronounced in peripheral than in foveal vision, whatever the temporal frequency tested. The authors suggest an interpretation of the shape changes of the contrast sensitivity curves based on the neurological properties of achromatic and chromatic mechanisms. The functional exploration of the neurophysiological and optical properties of the visual system may be useful to display designers and users as far as the system efficiency for using colour as an information code is concerned.