Newly designed, simple relief phase contrast for microscopy of microorganisms.
A new method providing a relief phase contrast for investigation of microorganisms by optical microscopy used a neutral filter Zeiss NG 10/1 that could be controllably slid at a certain azimuthal angle below the aperture condenser diaphragm of the microscope phase contrast. Two ways of application are described depending on the type of the microscope: (1) in a special holder, and (2) fixed on a rubber ring. The device enabled us to obtain excellent results in the area of both optical microscopy and microphotography. With the microorganisms visualized, a better resolution, higher contrast and a significant 3D effect were obtained; outer morphology and organelles (chloroplasts, nuclei, granules, oil reserve vacuoles, etc.) could also be investigated.
Institute of Microbiology of the ASCR, v.v.i., 14220 Praha, Czech Republic. zizka@biomed.cas.cz
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Zižka
D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D008828:Microbiological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast / Q000379:methods*; D015388:Organelles / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D011387:Prokaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology*
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