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Which wavelengths are the S, M, and L cones most sensitive to?
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colour
The RYB color model is being illustrated on a color wheel.
In the human eye, the three types of cones—designated as S, M, and L—are responsible for colour vision by responding to different regions of the spectrum. Their maximum sensitivities are as follows:
- S (Short-wavelength) cones: These are most sensitive to blue light, with absorption peaks typically cited near 445 nm or 419 nm.12
- M (Medium-wavelength) cones: These are most sensitive to green light, with absorption peaks near 535 nm or 531 nm.12
- L (Long-wavelength) cones: These are most sensitive to red or yellow-green light, with absorption peaks near 565 nm or 558 nm.12
The perception of colour is determined by the relative intensity of the response across these three sets of receptors. While these values represent peak sensitivities, the cones respond to a range of wavelengths, and the brain interprets most colours based on the ratio of excitation between these different cone types.12