Chromatic Content of Spectral Lights

Using three novel formats, we compare four estimates of the spectral sensitivity of the opponent stage channels: a Linear Model, Jameson and Hurvich's [Journal of the Optical Society of America, 45, 546-552 (1955)] hue cancellation sensitivities, Gordon and Abramov's [Optical Society of America Technical Digest Series, 15, 12-15 (1987)] hue scaling, and hue matching. The three formats are: the spectrum locus in the opponent equiluminant plane, null lines in the CIE XYZ chart and response functions for unique hues. All sensitivities show departures from the Linear Model and from each other. Relative to the model, common features of all estimates are that violets are compressed; long-wavelength reds are amplified; the redness component of violet lights is greatly attenuated; and saturation of violet stimuli is underestimated.