Vision with a scanning laser display: comparison of flicker sensitivity toa CRT

Laser scanning displays allow for large depth-of-focus, reduced optical abe rrations, and high luminance. However, scanned laser light images have no p hosphor persistence. Psychophysical tests with a 3-color laser display show ed that flicker thresholds were nearly equal with a laser display relative to the CRT when both were matched in luminance, resolution, frame rate, and similar chromaticity. The threshold ratio was 1.14 (range 0.7-1.6). Differ ences in flicker sensitivity between displays were significantly related to the absolute energy at the cornea irrespective of the subjective luminance match. Flicker sensitivity was not enhanced by a laser scanning display wi thout image persistence. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .