Abstract
An optoelectronic device able to change the gain of the retinal feedback path from its natural value (−1) to any other value in the range −5, +5 is presented. The employement of an image-converter tube with coupled magnetic deflection circuit allows a large variety of targets to be used. Any type of artificial movements, moreover, can be imposed to the target itself. The device can be driven by any eye movement detector able to transduce the horizontal and vertical components of the eye rotation in the form of electrical signals. Experiments were performed to investigate the effects of varying the gain of the retinal feedback loop on the eye behaviour. Evidence was found for the existence of a range of values of such gain where the eye goes into spontaneous smooth sinusoidal-like oscillations. This phenomenon was examined with the control theory methods in terms of stability of the pursuit system. A correlation between the spontaneous oscillations and the well known learning capability of the visual system was found.
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Palmieri, G., Scotto, M. & Oliva, G.A. Image-converter pattern tracker for variable retinal feedback experiments. Kybernetik 15, 193–202 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00277495
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00277495