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A system of photometry and colorimetry based on cone excitations
Author(s) -
Boynton Robert M.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
color research and application
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.393
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1520-6378
pISSN - 0361-2317
DOI - 10.1002/col.5080110405
Subject(s) - chromaticity , photometry (optics) , colorimetry , optics , luminance , wavelength , physics , mathematics , astrophysics , stars
A system of photometry and colorimetry is proposed that is based upon cone action spectra. Instead of X, Y, Z tristimulus values, the new system divides the visual stimulus into L, M , and S components, which are related to the relative excitation levels of the three classes of human cone photoreceptors (long‐wavelength‐sensitive L , middle‐wavelength‐sensitive M , and short‐wavelength‐sensitive S). On the assumption that luminance is proportional to L + M , with S cones making no contribution to it, a chromaticity diagram results in which the relation between chromaticity coordinates and cone excitations is transparent, rather than inadvertently obscured as in the CIE system.