Detection and acceptability of stroboscopic effects from flicker

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that the perception of stroboscopic effects from flickering light is strongly influenced by both the frequency and the amount of modulation (e.g. percent flicker). The relationship, if any, between these factors for the detection and acceptability of stroboscopic effects has not been elucidated under conditions corresponding to illuminating engineering practice. In a laboratory study, participants reported whether they could detect stroboscopic effects from flickering light with a range of frequencies and percent flicker values, and if detected, whether it was acceptable. The resulting data can provide functional relationships between frequency and percent flicker in terms of detection and acceptability of stroboscopic effects under conditions corresponding to those tested.