Optimal Detection of Flash Intensity Differences Using Rod Photocurrent Observation

摘要

The rod photocurrent contains two noise components that may limit the detectability of flash intensity increments. The limits imposed by the low-and high-frequency noise components were assessed by computing the performance of an optimal detector of increments in flash intensity. The limits imposed by these noise components depend on the interval Of observation of the photocurrent signal. When the entrire photocur- Rent signal, lasting 3 or more seconds, is observed, the low-frequency Component of the photocurrent noise (attibuted to the quantal noise Of the incoming light, as well as random isomerizations of enzymes Within the phototransduction cascade) is the most significant limitation On detectability.