title: Duration thresholds for chromatic stimuli.
abstract: The duration necessary to detect chromatic stimuli was measured for wavelengths between 463 and 620 nm. Stimuli were presented either in hue substitution (replacement of white by a chromatic stimulus of matched luminance) or as increments. Two observers viewed a 1 degrees 45' homogeneous white field. A trial consisted of replacement of the central 40' of the field by a chromatic stimulus. In substitution mode the white field was 2.4 cd/m2., the chromatic replacement was of matched luminance using heterochromatic flicker photometry (HFP). In increment mode, the white field was decreased to 1.2 cd/m2., the chromatic replacement remained at 2.4 cd/m2. In substitution mode, duration threshold varied from approximately 3--4 ms for the spectral extremes to 45--66 ms at 570 nm. Detected stimuli were always seen as a change in chromaticity. In increment mode, thresholds were in the 2--4 ms range with no dependence upon spectral composition. Detected stimuli were seen either as changes in chromaticity or brightness. A control experiment indicated that HFP did establish equivalent luminance for the hue substitution mode. We conclude that duration thresholds in substitution mode reveal chromatic processing channels; duration thresholds in increment mode are mediated by chromatic and/or achromatic processing channels.
mesh_terms: D003118:Color Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011930:Reaction Time; D012684:Sensory Thresholds