Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy
Phase contrast microscopy allows the study of highly transparent yet detail-rich specimens by producing intensity contrast from phase objects within the sample. Presented here is a generalized phase contrast illumination schema in which condenser optics are entirely abrogated, yielding a condenser-...
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| Format: | Article |
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Wiley
2014
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/30201/ |
| _version_ | 1848793941048033280 |
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| author | Webb, Kevin F. |
| author_facet | Webb, Kevin F. |
| author_sort | Webb, Kevin F. |
| building | Nottingham Research Data Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Phase contrast microscopy allows the study of highly transparent yet detail-rich specimens by producing intensity contrast from phase objects within the sample. Presented here is a generalized phase contrast illumination schema in which condenser optics are entirely abrogated, yielding a condenser- free yet highly effective method of obtaining phase contrast in transmitted-light microscopy. A ring of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is positioned within the light-path such that observation of the objective back focal plane places the il- luminating ring in appropriate conjunction with the phase ring. It is demonstrated that true Zernike phase contrast is obtained, whose geometry can be flexibly manipulated to provide an arbitrary working distance between illuminator and sample. Condenser-free phase contrast is demonstrated across a range of magnifications (4–100×), numerical apertures (0.13–1.65NA) and conventional phase positions. Also demonstrated is condenser-free darkfield microscopy as well as combinatorial contrast including Rheinberg illumination and simultaneous, colour-contrasted, brightfield, darkfield and Zernike phase contrast. By providing enhanced and arbitrary working space above the preparation, a range of concurrent imaging and electrophysiological techniques will be technically facilitated. Condenser-free phase contrast is demonstrated in conjunction with scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), using a notched ring to admit the scanned probe. The compact, versatile LED illumination schema will further lend itself to novel next-generation transmitted-light microscopy designs. The condenser-free illumination method, using rings of independent or radially-scanned emitters, may be exploited in future in other electromagnetic wavebands, including X-rays or the infrared. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:08:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | nottingham-30201 |
| institution | University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T19:08:17Z |
| publishDate | 2014 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | nottingham-302012020-05-04T16:53:59Z https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/30201/ Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy Webb, Kevin F. Phase contrast microscopy allows the study of highly transparent yet detail-rich specimens by producing intensity contrast from phase objects within the sample. Presented here is a generalized phase contrast illumination schema in which condenser optics are entirely abrogated, yielding a condenser- free yet highly effective method of obtaining phase contrast in transmitted-light microscopy. A ring of light emitting diodes (LEDs) is positioned within the light-path such that observation of the objective back focal plane places the il- luminating ring in appropriate conjunction with the phase ring. It is demonstrated that true Zernike phase contrast is obtained, whose geometry can be flexibly manipulated to provide an arbitrary working distance between illuminator and sample. Condenser-free phase contrast is demonstrated across a range of magnifications (4–100×), numerical apertures (0.13–1.65NA) and conventional phase positions. Also demonstrated is condenser-free darkfield microscopy as well as combinatorial contrast including Rheinberg illumination and simultaneous, colour-contrasted, brightfield, darkfield and Zernike phase contrast. By providing enhanced and arbitrary working space above the preparation, a range of concurrent imaging and electrophysiological techniques will be technically facilitated. Condenser-free phase contrast is demonstrated in conjunction with scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), using a notched ring to admit the scanned probe. The compact, versatile LED illumination schema will further lend itself to novel next-generation transmitted-light microscopy designs. The condenser-free illumination method, using rings of independent or radially-scanned emitters, may be exploited in future in other electromagnetic wavebands, including X-rays or the infrared. Wiley 2014-09-16 Article PeerReviewed Webb, Kevin F. (2014) Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy. Journal of Microscopy, 257 (1). pp. 8-22. ISSN 0022-2720 Microscopy Imaging LED Phase contrast http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jmi.12181/abstract doi:10.1111/jmi.12181 doi:10.1111/jmi.12181 |
| spellingShingle | Microscopy Imaging LED Phase contrast Webb, Kevin F. Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy |
| title | Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy |
| title_full | Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy |
| title_fullStr | Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy |
| title_short | Condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy |
| title_sort | condenser-free contrast methods for transmitted-light microscopy |
| topic | Microscopy Imaging LED Phase contrast |
| url | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/30201/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/30201/ https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/30201/ |