What happens to flicker perception as light intensity increases?

As light intensity increases, flicker perception improves primarily because of how the visual system processes changing light stimuli. At higher intensities, the photoreceptors in the retina (cones, in particular) become more responsive, allowing for better detection of rapid changes in light. This enhanced response helps our visual system to distinguish flickering light more effectively, leading to an increased ability to perceive flicker.

This phenomenon is tied to the contrast sensitivity function; as light levels rise, the contrast between the flickering light and its background becomes more pronounced, making the flicker easier to detect. Thus, under optimal conditions with sufficient illumination, the sensitivity to flicker improves, allowing for a clearer perception of flickering light sources.