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Science 8 August 1969:
Vol. 165. no. 3893, pp. 588 - 589
DOI: 10.1126/science.165.3893.588
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Articles

Visual Transient Phenomenon: Its Polarity and a Paradox

J. F. Bird 1 and G. H. Mowbray 1

1 Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

Luminance stimuli modulated at frequencies above flicker fusion create perceptible visual transient responses when the frequency is changed abruptly. The polarity of these transients, as directly perceived and objectively confirmed, is shown enough by itself to yield a powerful criterion for visual models. An apparent paradox when light flashes are superposed on the frequency discontinuity has further implications for models and suggests a possible non-conservation of polarity in the brightness perception process.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)