A light microscopy technique that converts small differences in refractive index and specimen thickness into amplitude differences, making transparent specimens visible without staining. It reveals internal cellular structures in living, unstained samples.
Named for its ability to detect 'phase' differences (changes in light wave properties) and convert them to 'contrast' (visible brightness differences). Invented by Dutch physicist Frits Zernike in the 1930s, earning him the 1953 Nobel Prize in Physics.
Phase contrast microscopy is like having magic glasses that make invisible things visible - it can show you living cells in action without killing them with dyes! Zernike's brilliant insight was that even transparent objects bend light slightly, and his technique amplifies these tiny changes into dramatic visual contrast.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.