Measurement of CIELAB spatio-chromatic contrast sensitivity in different spatial and chromatic directions

Abstract

This paper presents data on CIELAB chromatic contrast sensitivity collected in a psychophysical experiment. To complement previously published data in the low-frequency range, we selected five spatial frequencies in the range from 2.4 to 19.1 cycles per degree (cpd). A Gabor stimulus was modulated along six chromatic directions in the a*-b* plane. We also investigated the impact on contrast sensitivity from spatial orientations – both vertically and diagonally oriented stimuli were used. The analysis of the collected data showed lowest contrast sensitivity in the chromatic direction of around 120° from the positive a*-axis. The contrast sensitivity in the diagonal spatial orientation is slightly lower when compared to the vertical orientation.