Digital BW, The Print

Is there an ideal, or optimal, greyscale ramp?

This is really a question about linearization.  The visual difference
between an ink density of .1 and .16 is obvious and easily seen.  The
visual difference between an ink density of 1.8 and 1.86 is not
obvious and may not even be discernable.  Is there an "optimal" ramp
rate for density to increase?

When linearizing curves with IJC/OPM there is a factor which can be
applied to change the rate at which density increases (slow increase
with small density and higher increase with increasing density). 
Something like gamma I suppose.  As I do more testing and curve making
a couple of questions have arisen.

1. Does this gamma or ramp rate change depending on Dmax?  The rate at
which denisyt changes near the Dmax point needs to be steeper with a
larger Dmax - I think?

2. Is it possible to create a gamma or ramp rate which matches a
hardware calibrated monitor at some specific gamma (1.8 or 2.2 or
whatever)?  Is that undesirable for some reason?

3. Is there a "formula" based on human perception that can be used to
determine what an optimal greyscale ramp would look like?

As always, thanks for your help while I try and nut these things out.