The phase contrast microscope enhances live specimens by using light waves to distinguish between transparent and colorless structures, eliminating the need to stain and kill samples. It was invented by Fritz Zerinke in 1930 and has been instrumental in studying active cellular processes.
A phase contrast microscope is a scientific instrument specifically designed to enhance the contrast of live specimens under observation. The microscope depends on the different refractive qualities of objects to distinguish between transparent and colorless structures. Other microscopy methods depend on staining a sample to highlight or define different cellular components. The staining process usually kills the sample, making it impossible to study active cellular processes. The phase contrast microscope eliminates the need to kill a sample by taking advantage of the nature of light waves.
A light wave contains peaks and valleys at regular intervals. If the peaks and valleys of different waves line up, they are said to be in phase. When misaligned the waves are out of phase.
The phase contrast microscope uses two light sources: a lamp under the sample and light that is diffracted or reflected by the sample. Light passes through a transparent object, while it is reflected from a solid but colorless object. When light waves are brought together in the phase condenser, a lens above the sample, they will be in phase or out of phase. If the light waves are in phase, the object will appear bright. If they are out of phase, the object will be shaded or dark.
Phase contrast microscopy was first developed around 1930 by Fritz Zerinke. His invention was not initially well received. When the German war machine got hold of it in 1941, it was finally made.
After the war, the phase contrast microscope continued to be developed and applied to new areas of study, such as medicine. The phase contrast microscope has been instrumental in delineating the processes involved in cell division and other active cellular processes. Zerinke was later awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953 for his contribution to microscopy techniques.
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