What is a phase contrast microscope?

phase contrast microscope is a scientific tool specifically designed to increase the contrast of living specimens under observation. The microscope depends on different refractive characteristics of objects for distinction between transparent and colorless structures. Other methods of microscopy depend on the staining of the sample to enhance or define different cell components. The dyeing process usually kills the sample, preventing the study of active cellular processes. The phase contrast microscope eliminates the need to kill a sample by using the nature of light waves.

The light wave contains peaks and valleys at regular intervals. If the peaks and valleys of different waves are aligned, they are said to be in the phase. When they are incorrectly aligned, the waves are outside the phase.

The phase contrast microscope uses two light sources: a lamp under a sample and light that is either diffraction or reflected outside the sample. Light passes through the transparenite object while reflected from a solid but colorless object. When the light waves are spoJeny in the phase capacitor, lenses above the pattern, will either be in phase or outside the phase. If the light waves are in the phase, the object will seem clear. If they are outside the phase, the object will be shaded or dark.

phase contrast microscopy was first developed around 1930 by Fritz Zerink. His invention was not well received at first. When the German war machine caught it in 1941, it was finally made.

After the war, the microscope of phase contrast continued to be produced and applied to a new study area such as medicine. The phase contrast microscope was helpful in sketching processes involved in cell division and other active cellular processes. Zerinke later won the Nobel Prize for Physics for his contribution to the microscope of technology in 1953.