Colors of monochromatic lights that vary in contrast-induced brightness. 1985

K Fuld, and T A Otto

Using a color-naming procedure, two subjects described monochromatic lights, ranging from 450 to 630 nm, that were surrounded by perceptually unique-white fields of variable retinal illuminance. The test fields were 0.6 deg and 10, 100, or 1,000 Td. The surrounds, which were 4.5 deg in outer diameter, ranged from 0 to approximately 31,000 Td. From the resulting color-naming functions, equal-hue contours were derived, with surround intensity plotted against wavelength, for the spectral unique hues and the binary hues blue-green, green-yellow, and yellow-red. The wavelengths for unique blue, unique yellow, and blue-green were essentially invariant with changes in surround intensity. The spectral locus for unique green was also invariant at higher test-field intensities, but, at lower levels, it generally shifted toward shorter wavelengths as surround intensity increased. Nonmonotonic shifts were found for green-yellow and yellow-red. The contrast and the wavelength requirements for the color brown were nearly invariant with the changes of test-field intensity. Over the full range of surround intensities, subjects described the test fields as consisting of one or two hues plus white or black, depending on the surround level, but never (except for one subject at the lowest test-field intensity) white and black simultaneously and cospatially. This opponent aspect of black and white was compared with that associated with the chromatically opponent processes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008027 Light That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the visible, ultraviolet, and infrared range. Light, Visible,Photoradiation,Radiation, Visible,Visible Radiation,Photoradiations,Radiations, Visible,Visible Light,Visible Radiations
D012160 Retina The ten-layered nervous tissue membrane of the eye. It is continuous with the OPTIC NERVE and receives images of external objects and transmits visual impulses to the brain. Its outer surface is in contact with the CHOROID and the inner surface with the VITREOUS BODY. The outer-most layer is pigmented, whereas the inner nine layers are transparent. Ora Serrata
D003116 Color The visually perceived property of objects created by absorption or reflection of specific wavelengths of light. Colors
D003118 Color Perception Mental processing of chromatic signals (COLOR VISION) from the eye by the VISUAL CORTEX where they are converted into symbolic representations. Color perception involves numerous neurons, and is influenced not only by the distribution of wavelengths from the viewed object, but also by its background color and brightness contrast at its boundary. Color Perceptions,Perception, Color,Perceptions, Color
D003124 Colorimetry Any technique by which an unknown color is evaluated in terms of standard colors. The technique may be visual, photoelectric, or indirect by means of spectrophotometry. It is used in chemistry and physics. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed)
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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