It is proposed that the number

, given by
![[\\int_{0}^{\\infty}T(f) df]^{2}](/images/tex/15632.gif)
, is equal to the number of picture elements in an image within which the noise-free modulation transfer function

of the image device (display) is uniform and isotropic;

and

are the edge lengths (mm) of a rectangular format, and

is the spatial frequency (cycles/mm). An equation for

, that applies to nonuniform and anisotropic modulation transfer functions is also given. A picture element transfer efficiency

is defined as (

), where

is the number of picture elements transferred to the image (display) by an "ideal" device.