Contrast potential, an assessment technique using large solid angle illuminance measurements

The authors describe a technique for assessing the luminous contrast within lighting environments. This technique uses large solid angle measurements of both vertical and horizontal illuminance on the work plane, and is based on combining the horizontal and vertical illuminance measurements with a simple expression. This illuminance function was compared with the luminance contrast measurements obtained with a luminance contrast meter. Analysis of the experimental data indicates a strong correlation between the illuminance-based procedure and data obtained with the meter. The assessment of contrast based on large solid angle measurements of illuminance is also described