Spatial frequency difference thresholds depend on stimulus area

Spatial frequency difference thresholds were estimated for vertical, high contrast 5.0 cpd sinewave gratings that had been multiplied by a two dimensional Gaussian window function of contrast. A range of different elliptical window configurations were tested that varied in their relative height and width. Spatial frequency acuity improved as the area of the target was increased. The data are compatible with a model of spatial frequency discrimination that is based on statistical averaging of spatial intervals interpolated between local retinal signs.