Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

Fusion Frequency and Light Quantity

Abstract

WHEN an intermittent photic stimulus alternates at an increasing rate it is found, in general, that the visual apparatus resolves the alternations below, but fails to do so above, a critical rate. This rate is called the fusion or critical flicker frequency.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Rent or buy this article

Prices vary by article type

from$1.95

to$39.95

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Ferry, E. S., Amer. J. Sci., 44, 192 (1892). Porter, T. C., Proc. Roy. Soc. A, 70, 313 (1902).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Granit, R., and Harper, P., Amer. J. Physiol., 95, 211 (1930).

    Google Scholar 

  3. Weale, R. A., Symposium on Visual Problems of Colour, Teddington., Paper 17. (H.M.S.O., 1958).

    Google Scholar 

  4. Collins, J. B., Ophthalmologica, 131, 83 (1956).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Kugelmass, S., and Landis, C., Amer. J. Physiol., 68, 1 (1955).

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Weale, R. A., J. Physiol., 131, 50, P (1957).

    Google Scholar 

  7. Best, W., Graefe's Arch., 152, 99 (1951).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Arnold, H., Arbeitsphysiologie, 15, 62 (1953).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Østerberg, G., Acta Ophthalm. KbH., Suppl. 6 (1935).

  10. Hecht, S., and Verrijp, C. D., J. Gen. Physiol., 17, 269 (1937).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Weekers, R., and Roussel, F., Doc. Ophthal., 2, 130 (1948).

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Enroth, C., Acta Physiol. Scand., 27, Suppl. 100 (1952).

  13. Arden, G. B., and Weale, R. A., Proc. Roy. Soc., B, 142, 258 (1954).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

ANGEL, A., HEMS, D., ROUSE, W. et al. Fusion Frequency and Light Quantity. Nature 184, 1873–1874 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/1841873a0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1841873a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing