Phase contrast

Phase contrast is a technique used in microscopy to make transparent, tiny specimens—like cells—more visible without staining. It works by detecting subtle differences in how light waves pass through different parts of the specimen. Variations in the specimen’s structure change the phase of the light waves, and phase contrast converts these changes into differences in brightness and contrast in the image. This allows us to see living cells and delicate structures clearly and in real time, providing detailed information without harming the sample or requiring dyes.