Absence of linear subthreshold summation between red-green and luminance mechanisms over a wide range of spatio-temporal conditions

Abstract

We have tested the independence of red-green chromatic and luminance mechanisms at detection threshold using a method of subthreshold summation. Stimuli were isoluminant red-green gratings and yellow-black luminance gratings that uniquely activate the red-green color and luminance mechanisms, respectively. Stimuli were Gaussian enveloped 0.25, 1 or 4 cpd sinewave gratings, counter-phase flickered at 0, 5 or 9 Hz. The threshold detection of red-green color contrast was measured in the presence of a subthreshold amount of luminance contrast, and vice versa. The results allow a model of linear summation between the color and luminance mechanisms to be rejected, but are well fitted by a model, a..