Flicker detection through night vision goggles.

Abstract

Visual performance through night vision goggles (NVG's) is commonly assessed with letter charts or other static displays. Few attempts have been made to evaluate dynamic aspects of vision through NVG's. Such information may be used to better predict human performance and guide the development of improved devices. In this study, contrast thresholds for detection of flickering targets were measured through NVG's across a range of ambient conditions. A comparison of measurements with and without NVG's indicated that flicker detection is limited by the contrast and luminance of the NVG display. The contrast limitation is largely independent of stimulus flicker frequency. Increasing the transfer of static contrast and/or luminance through NVG's will also improve dynamic visual performance.