Color Matching

In order to define the perceptual 3D space in a "standard" way, a set of experiments can (and have been) carried by having observers try and match color of a given wavelength, lambda, by mixing three other pure wavelengths, such as R=700nm, G=546nm, and B=436nm in the following example. Note that the phosphours of color TVs and other CRTs do not emit pure red, green, or blue light of a single wavelength, as is the case for this experiment.

Lecture 2 Slide 27 6.837 Fall '01
The scheme above can tell us what mix of R,G,Bis needed to reproduce the perceptual equivalent of any wavelength. A problem exists, however, because sometimes the red light needs to be added to the target before a match can be achieved. This is shown on the graph by having its intensity, R, take on a negative value.