Frits Zernike

Frits Zernike (1888–1966) was a Dutch physicist who developed phase-contrast microscopy and received the 1953 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Leonard Ornstein: A Dutch physicist known for work in statistical physics and spectroscopy. Ornstein supervised Zernike’s doctoral research at the University of Amsterdam.
Phase-contrast microscopy: A microscopy method that converts phase differences in transmitted light into differences in image brightness. Zernike developed this method to reveal transparent specimens without staining.
Live-cell imaging: The observation of living cells over time using optical imaging methods. Phase contrast can show cellular structures without killing or staining the cells.
1953 Nobel Prize in Physics: The Nobel Prize in Physics awarded to Frits Zernike for his phase-contrast method. The award cited his demonstration of the phase-contrast method and its use in microscopy.
Willem Hendrik Keesom: A Dutch physicist who studied low-temperature physics and liquefied helium. Keesom succeeded Zernike as professor of physics at Leiden University.
Phase plate: An optical element that shifts the phase of selected portions of a light wave. Zernike’s phase plate alters undeviated light so it interferes with diffracted light.
Unstained specimen: A biological sample examined without dyes or other contrast-enhancing stains. Zernike’s method made many transparent, unstained samples visible.
Nobel lecture: A lecture delivered by a Nobel laureate in connection with the Nobel award. Zernike’s 1953 lecture explained phase contrast and its scientific significance.
Albert Einstein: A theoretical physicist whose theories transformed modern physics. Einstein’s visit to Groningen helped bring attention to Zernike’s phase-contrast work.
Annular diaphragm: A ring-shaped aperture used to illuminate a specimen with a hollow cone of light. Its illumination pattern aligns with the phase plate in a phase-contrast microscope.

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