A high bit depth digital imaging pipeline for vision research

In order to achieve accurate results in user studies in the fields of Psychophysics, Experimental Psychology, Ophthalmology and clinical studies there are high demands towards an imaging pipeline presenting these stimuli in an experiment (as illustrated in Figure 1). For example, display stability and repeatability, both short term and long term are crucial when conducting research leading to robust results. Further important factors are the perceptual limits of a graphics pipeline. Here, two important elements are the achievable dynamic range and the color gamut, which would ideally approximate or exceed the capabilities of the human visual system (HVS). In an optimal solution, those stimulus dimensions would be displayed with continuous intensity levels between their respective extrema (e.g. from dark to light) when presenting them to participants.