optical persistence

[ɒp.tɪ.kəl pər.sɪs.təns]
nounpl: optical persistences
persistência óptica
1. The phenomenon by which the human eye retains the image of an object for a brief moment after the object has been removed or the light source has been switched off
Optical persistence is the reason why we can watch movies smoothly on screens that actually display static images in rapid succession.
A persistência óptica é a razão pela qual podemos assistir a filmes suavemente em telas que na verdade exibem imagens estáticas em rápida sucessão.
2. In display technology, the tendency of a pixel or image to remain visible on a screen slightly longer than intended, affecting image quality
High-speed camera monitors minimize optical persistence to reduce motion blur and ghosting artifacts.
Monitores de câmera de alta velocidade minimizam a persistência óptica para reduzir desfoque de movimento e artefatos de fantasma.
3. In vision science, the time interval during which an impression of light remains in the visual system after the stimulus has ceased
Optical persistence explains why a spinning wheel appears solid rather than individual spokes.
A persistência óptica explica por que uma roda giratória parece sólida em vez de raios individuais.
This term is predominantly used in technical, scientific, and entertainment industries (film, gaming, display technology) in both Brazil and the USA. In Brazil, it's more commonly encountered in academic contexts and among professionals in electronics and cinematography. The concept is fundamental to understanding cinema (24 frames per second relies on optical persistence) and modern display technology, making it important in both cultures' technological discourse.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
afterimagevisual persistenceretinal persistencepersistence of visiontemporal summation
Antonyms / Antônimos
instantaneous visionzero latency

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
persistência óptica
Standard term used in optical and display technology contexts
São Paulo
persistência visual
Alternative term sometimes used in vision science research
Portugal
persistência óptica
Standard European Portuguese term, commonly used in technical documentation
General English/USA
optical persistence
Primarily used in scientific, technical, and display technology fields

Related Words

flicker fusion thresholdcritical flicker frequencymotion blurframe ratetemporal resolutionvisual perception

Related Idioms & Phrases

trick of the eye
optical illusion
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