Frits Zernike

Frits Zernike was a Dutch physicist best known for developing phase-contrast microscopy, a technique that allows scientists to see transparent, unstained biological specimens clearly. This invention uses special optical methods to convert phase differences in light passing through a sample into visible contrasts, enabling detailed observation without damage. His work significantly advanced biological and medical research, earning him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953. Zernike’s contributions have profoundly impacted microscopy and our ability to study living cells and microorganisms in their natural state.