Abstract
A model for thresholds of auditory neurons to microwave pulses is developed using the frequency content of a pulse with intensity A and duration Tp. Suprathreshold intensity is greater than (R-T/kTp)/∣sin(πCFTp)/πCFTp∣, where RT is the detectable threshold response amplitude, CF is the neuron characteristic frequency, and k is a constant relating response and stimulus units. For short pulses with small πCFTp, suprathreshold intensity is greater than R-T/kTp; threshold energy, ATp, greater than constant RT/k. Patterns of previously measured thresholds in cat cochlear nucleus for Tp between 20 and 200 μs are consistent with the patterns derived using the model.