Estimating the Detectability of Target Luminances

Abstract

The literature on the absolute threshold for seeing was used to develop a method for estimating the probability of detection of a light given only the luminance threshold value as information, and for predicting the luminance threshold as a function of target size and duration. The analysis also supported the general conclusion that for small visual areas and up to a critical duration, there is a reciprocity between duration and luminance and that the critical duration decreases with increasing area. It did not support the conclusion of a similar reciprocity or trade-off between luminance and area.