Spectral characteristics of light sources for S-cone stimulation

• Published in: Documenta ophthalmologica Vol. 105; no. 3; pp. 339 - 363
• Main Authors: SCHLEGELMILCH, F, NOLTE, R, SCHELLHORN, K, HUSAR, P, HENNING, G, TORNOW, R. P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer 01.11.2002; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Electrooculography. Electroretinography; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Light; Mathematics; Medical sciences; Photic Stimulation; Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells - physiology; Retinal Cone Photoreceptor Cells - radiation effects; Sensory Thresholds - physiology; Human; Light source; Cone; Spectral properties; Electrophysiology; Exploration; Spectral analysis; Wavelength; Short wave; light sources; Light stimulation; Technology; short-wavelength sensitive pathway; S-cone stimulation; Energy absorption; SWS-cones; blue LED
• ISSN: 0012-4486; 1573-2622
• DOI: 10.1023/A:1021271603178

Electrophysiological investigations of the short-wavelength sensitive pathway of the human eye require the use of a suitable light source as a S-cone stimulator. Different light sources with their spectral distribution properties were investigated and compared with the ideal S-cone stimulator. First, the theoretical background of the calculation of relative cone energy absorption from the spectral distribution function of the light source is summarized. From the results of the calculation, the photometric properties of the ideal S-cone stimulator will be derived. The calculation procedure was applied to virtual light sources (computer generated spectral distribution functions with different medium wavelengths and spectrum widths) and to real light sources (blue and green light emitting diodes, blue phosphor of CRT-monitor, multimedia projector, LCD monitor and notebook display). The calculated relative cone absorbencies are compared to the conditions of an ideal S-cone stimulator. Monochromatic light sources with wavelengths of less than 456 nm are close to the conditions of an ideal S-cone stimulator. Spectrum widths up to 21 nm do not affect the S-cone activation significantly (S-cone activation change < 0.2%). Blue light emitting diodes with peak wavelength at 448 nm and spectrum bandwidth of 25 nm are very useful for S-cone stimulation (S-cone activation approximately 95%). A suitable display for S-cone stimulation is the Trinitron computer monitor (S-cone activation approximately 87%). The multimedia projector has a S-cone activation up to 91%, but their spectral distribution properties depends on the selected intensity. LCD monitor and notebook displays have a lower S-cone activation (< or = 74%). Carefully selecting the blue light source for S-cone stimulation can reduce the unwanted L-and M-cone activation down to 4% for M-cones and 1.5% for L-cones.