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Dynamic illusory waves generated by relative motion in periodic displays
Ian M Thornton1, Sunčica Zdravković2,3, Anna Riga1
1Department of Cognitive Science, Faculty of Media and Knowledge Sciences, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
I-Perception
|August 5, 2026
Summary
Researchers created dynamic illusory waves (diwa) by combining visual illusions and perceptual mechanisms. This novel display generates surprising, deforming phantom surfaces from simple visual components and motion.
Area of Science:
- Visual Perception
- Computational Neuroscience
- Psychophysics
Background:
- Illusory effects and perceptual mechanisms are key to understanding visual processing.
- Previous research has documented various visual illusions but lacked a unified display for dynamic phantoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and describe a novel display generating 'dynamic illusory waves' (diwa).
- To explore the perceptual mechanisms underlying the creation of these dynamic phantom surfaces.
- To provide an interactive tool for users to explore and create their own diwa examples.
Main Methods:
- Combining previously documented illusory effects and perceptual mechanisms.
- Utilizing two physically drawn components: a sinewave-modulated contour shape and a background grating.
- Introducing relative motion between the shape and the grating to generate the illusory wave.
Main Results:
- The emergence of a coherent, deforming illusory surface (diwa) that appears as a transparent layer.
- The nature of the diwa is significantly influenced by the spatial frequency ratio between the shape and grating.
- Modulation of the diwa's characteristics by altering relative speed, amplitude, and contrast.
Conclusions:
- The novel display effectively generates dynamic illusory waves, surprising even experienced observers.
- The study highlights the interplay of spatial frequency, motion, and contrast in creating complex visual phenomena.
- An online interactive tool is provided for further research and exploration of dynamic illusory waves.
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