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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Published on: November 9, 2011
Spatial influences on colour opponent contributions to pattern detection
1Physiological Laboratory, University of Cambridge, England.
Abstract:
The contribution of colour opponent mechanisms to detection thresholds is investigated at different spatial frequencies by presenting monochromatic, sinusoidal gratings on a uniform white background. Colour opponent mechanisms, characterised by a triple peaked spectral sensitivity function, determine threshold at low spatial frequencies (below 1 c/deg) and their contribution flattens the Weber function. They display low pass spatial frequency characteristics, becoming relatively more sensitive than non-opponent mechanisms as spatial frequency decreases. Colour opponent contributions are not revealed when the test grating and background are presented dichoptically.
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