Know the History of Phase Contrast Microscope

Phase contrast microscopes are contrast enhancing and can be used to generate transparent images of specimens such as microorganisms, living cells, thin tissue slices, sub cellular particles like organelles and nuclei. It is an essential equipment in medical and biological research, particularly in dealing with colorless or transparent components in cells.

Phase contrast microscope works like a light which passes through a medium. Any contact with this medium can cause the phase and amplitude to change. Any changes in the amplitude can then alter the light absorption; when this light is dependent on wavelength, it will give rise to many colors.

The phase contrast microscopy techniques are made available to those latest light microscopes. It is most ordinarily used in providing contrast to transparent samples such as small organisms or living cells. Using this microscope, the transparent objects are prominently displayed against its background.

An optical mechanism is being utilized in the phase contrast system. This can translate small changes in phase in corresponding variations in amplitude that may be visualized as image contrast differences. These differences in phase are invisible to human eye; thus it is quite difficult to observe. But it is worthwhile to note that these changes are worthwhile to examine since it can yield to an ample amount of useful information.

Phase contrast microscopes seem to be a very beneficial instrument whether in the field of science or technology. Anyone may wonder where this amazing equipment came from. It is worthwhile to know the history and the person involved in coming up with the phase contrast microscope and phase contrast microscopy technique that we all may be using at present.

Phase contrast microscopy is just a product of further improvements for microscopes during early times. Early microscopes were introduced by top producers like Lealand and Powell. The improvements on the microscope stands, and microscope processes or microscopy heightened the need for contrast development. This thus led to the invention of phase contrasts and phase contrast microscopes.

Phase contrast microscopy can be traced back in 1934. This was first realized by Frits Zernike who is a Dutch physicist. Zernike’s biography would reveal his great passion for Physics. Born on July 16, 1888, he is the second son in his family. Carl Zernike, his father was a teacher in mathematics. His father was also passionate about the many branches of science being the head of one primary school in Amsterdam during those days.

Clearly, Frits has inherited his love for physics from his father. He already has an arsenal of tubes, pots, crucibles during his young age. He had these things as gifts from several manufacturers or he bought some with his own money.

During his secondary schooling, he always excels in scientific subjects. But he neglects topics like languages and history including Latin and Greek. But then again he was forced to pass the State matriculation for him to be admitted fully in a university.

It was one of those days that he is studying diffraction gratings then and during one stage, he found out two important things. One is that it is essential to hamper with a reference ray and to have a maximum contrast. Another thing is that using this technique, it is essential to bring in a phase shift on this reference for no-phase change situation increase the wholly destructive interference.

Frits Zernike observed that he can look upon unstained cells with the use of phase angle beams. Zernike through tedious experimentations and tests had discovered the great value of phase contrast microscopy and microscope. But then again, it still took more than 10 years to introduce the new microscope into the market.

Evidently, phase contrast microscope is very beneficial in the field of science and technology. Actually, this kind of microscope was awarded with a Physics Nobel Prize on 1953.

After Zernike, different methods to enhance the phase contrasts were extended. Gross and Hoffman devised the DIC or differential interference contrast and modulation contrast. All of these devices have many variations. In 1953, Nomarsky patented a very popular DIC system. In 1904, Kohler had introduced the fluorescence microscopy and this becomes an extremely valuable contribution to the light microscopy since 1970.

Phase contrast microscopes and microscopy had gone through many evolutions and carried with them trademarks of history. Through the years, development and enhancement was done to the equipment to adapt to the ever changing needs of many fields of science, technology, different industries and establishments. Nevertheless, it is one person who can really be a claimant of its success and contribution. This person, Frits Zernike, had proven the benefits of his invention from his era to ours. Traces of his tedious inventions and works are precious legacy that will always stand out in the field of microscopy.