Phase-Contrast Microscopy: Principles and Applications

This lecture covers the principles and applications of phase-contrast microscopy, explaining how positive and negative phase contrast work to enhance the visibility of different objects based on their refractive index. It also delves into the implementation and alignment of phase-contrast microscopy, highlighting the importance of correct adjustment. Additionally, the lecture explores polarization microscopy, contrasting different contrast techniques in microscopy and the use of polarized light to reveal molecular orders in various samples. The discussion extends to the generation and manipulation of linearly polarized light, the role of polarizers and analyzers, and the configuration of a polarized light microscope in biology.