Depth-increment detection function for individual spatial channels

Abstract

We have used stimuli with difference-of-Gaussian (DOG) luminance profiles to measure depth-increment thresholds within postulated spatial channels as functions of depth from the fixation plane. Stereoacuity was best with high-frequency DOG's presented at the fixation plane. Performance was relatively constant for spatial frequency above 2.4 cycles/deg, but it deteriorated as spatial frequency was decreased. Regardless of spatial frequency, stereo sensitivity declined rapidly as stimuli were presented away from the horopter. The falloff occurred more rapidly over the 0-20-arc-min range than over the 20-80-arc-min range. Depth was perceived over a broader range of disparity pedestals with low-spatial-frequency stimuli; however, the lowest thresholds were always obtained with the highest-frequency stimuli. Both the falloff of sensitivity with disparity pedestal and the disparity range of quantitative stereo depth lead to the conclusion that different size-tuned channels process disparity differently.