Modelling the phantom array from the spatial waveform on the retina

The phantom array effect is one of the artefacts of temporal light modulation (TLM) and has related health issues. This paper presents an analytic model of the visibility of the phantom array effect derived from the spatial contrast sensitivity function (SCSF), typical eye movement speeds, temporal integration according to the light source size, and the Fourier fundamental of the waveform. During a saccadic eye movement, any temporally modulated light source will stimulate spatially disparate regions of the retina according to the modulation frequency, the light source size and eye movement velocity. By integrating over time, we can estimate the shape and contrast of the retinal stimulation and thereby estimate its visibility on the basis of models of contrast sensitivity. The Fourier fundamental of the spatial pattern is used to predict its visibility. Recent experimental datasets of the visibility of the phantom array effect fit well to the model. The model can be extended to explain individual differences, and the spectral dependence of the visibility of the phantom array effect.