A direct way to show the relationship of contrast sensitivity and adaptation luminance

Abstract

Previous research has shown that contrast sensitivity improves progressively as adaptation luminance is increased. This paper proposed to use simulation as a direct way to show the effect of change of adaptation luminance upon contrast sensitivity. Matlab software was used in the simulation and 14 pictures were simulated. 10 pictures of the 14 pictures were processed to filter certain spatial frequencies of the luminance. 20 subjects answered word lists to evaluate the environment of the simulated pictures. The most important finding was that the effect of change of adaptation on contrast sensitivity can be simulated and shown in a direct way. It was concluded that in lighting research, an alternative approach for doing experiments can be doing experiments in a simulated environment. It implied that in interior lighting design, energy saving should not be an excuse to deprive people's well-being.