Phase-contrast microscopy
optical microscopy technique
Phase-contrast microscopy (PCM) is an optical microscopy technique that converts phase shifts in light passing through a transparent specimen to brightness changes in the image. Phase shifts themselves are invisible, but become visible when shown as brightness variations.
When light waves travel through a medium other than a vacuum, interaction with the medium causes the wave amplitude and phase to change in a manner dependent on properties of the medium. Changes in amplitude (brightness) arise from the scattering and absorption of light, which is often wavelength-dependent and may give rise to colors. Photographic equipment and the human eye are only sensitive to amplitude variations. Without special arrangements, phase changes are therefore invisible. Yet, phase changes often convey important information.
Phase-contrast microscopy is particularly important in biology.
It reveals many cellular structures that are invisible with a bright-field microscope, as exemplified in the figure.
These structures were made visible to earlier microscopists by staining, but this required additional preparation and death of the cells.
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