How to Set Up a Phase Contrast Microscope

Phase contrast is a microscopy technique that is helpful in viewing many biological specimens such as bacteria or blood cells. When setting up your phase contrast microscope, you must have phase contrast objective lenses and a phase contrast condenser.

The condenser shown above has five settings on it: 10x, 20x, 40x, 100x and bright field. The two screws that stick out from the condenser are centering screws and will be used when you set up the phase contrast microscope for the first time.  Set the condenser on the bright field setting and focus on a specimen. Adjust the height of the condenser for optimum image quality. Move the condenser turret to the phase setting for whichever lens you are currently using and remove the specimen.

Remove one of the eyepiece lenses and insert the centering telescope in its place. If there is a set screw on the side of your centering telescope this should be used to focus the centering telescope. When looking through the centering telescope you will see two rings. By turning the centering adjustment screws on the condenser, you can align the rings so they are concentric.

Remove the centering telescope and replace the eyepiece lens. Put your specimen back on the stage and you are ready for phase contrast observation! You will want to go through this process when you change objectives.

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What is Phase Contrast Microscopy?

Phase contrast is a microscopy method used by Fritz Zernike. Zernike made multiple discoveries including the direct path of light. Phase contrast microscopy makes images appear darker against a light background.  Phase contrast uses a condenser system and an objective lens. Phase is only useful on images that are colorless or transparent because it makes it difficult to see it's surroundings. Objects suitable for phase contrast microscopy are bacteria, protozoa, and cells. Zernike was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953 for his discoveries in Physics.

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Product Features Include:

• High Quality Glass Elements
• High Definition Images
• Eight Levels of Magnification
• USB Camera
• Advanced Software
• Abbe Condenser

Phase Contrast Microscopy

Phase contrast microscopy is a technique that coverts phase shifts in light passing a semi-transparent specimens. Phase contrast microscopy is particularly useful for biology studies and research because it reveals molecular cell structures that may not be detectable using a bright field method. Phase changes are made possible with the separation of light from the specimen. 

Phase contrast microscopy makes it possible for biologists to study living cells and cell division as well as live video recording of living organisms. It is recommended to use a microscope with both bright field and phase contrast options, preferably with a digital camera for optimal viewing of both still and live specimens. 

Our 1600X Phase Contrast Siedentopf 3MP Digital Compound Microscope is ideal for biology students, laboratories  and researchers alike. This microscope has three viewing options along with a PC compatible software that can be used for measurements with no slide staining required.


The phase contrast kit on this microscope comes with a(n):

• phase kit condenser
• telescopic eyepiece
• four plain objectives
• eight levels of magnification