Skip to main content

Contrast: Phase, Amplitude, and Color

  • Chapter
  • 236 Accesses

Abstract

Contrast, as was pointed out in Chapter 2, is an attribute contributing to visibility which is next to resolution in importance. Indeed, two parts of an object that are resolved separately still are not seen separately unless their images are contrasted against what is between them. In light microscopy, we are concerned about two principal kinds of contrast: colorless and color. In both kinds we are also concerned with intensity, the amplitude of the light waves. The intensity of the colorless kind of contrast is in terms of black, white, and intermediate grays. This kind of contrast comes from interference and reinforcement of light waves which originate at each point in the object but travel different paths and lengths through the optical system to form the final image.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References for Chapter 9

  1. Compilation of ASTM Standard Definitions, 3rd ed., American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103 (1976).

    Google Scholar 

  2. E. G. Rochow, G. Fleck, and T. R. Blackburn, Chemistry, Molecules that Matter, Appendix III, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., New York, N. Y. 10017 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  3. A. F. Kirkpatrick, F. G. Rowe, E. J. Thomas, and T. G. Rochow, Light and microscopical studies of Pleurosigma angulatum for resolution of detail and quality of image, The Microscope and Crystal Front 15, 176–201 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  4. L. A. Wren and J. D. Corrington, Understanding and using the phase microscope, Unitron Instrument Company, 101 Crossways Park West, Woodbury, N. Y. 11797 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  5. E. M. Chamot and C. W. Mason, Handbook of Chemical Microscopy, Vol. 1, 3rd ed., John Wiley and Sons, Inc. New York, N. Y 10016 (1958).

    Google Scholar 

  6. N. H. Hartshorne and A. Stuart, Crystals and the Polarising Microscope, 4th ed., American Elsevier, New York, N. Y. 10017 (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  7. A. H. Bennett, H. Jupnik, H. Osterberg, and O. W. Richards, Phase Microscopy, John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, N. Y 10016 (1951).

    Google Scholar 

  8. C. P. Saylor, Chapter 1 in Advances in Optical and Electron Microscopy (R. Barer and V. E. Cosslett, eds.), Academic Press, New York, N. Y 10003 (1966).

    Google Scholar 

  9. S. G. Ellis and W. Hunn, High resolution transmitted light phase microscopy of unmounted specimens, The Microscope 23, No. 3, 127–131 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  10. O. W. Richards, The Polanret™ variable densiphase microscope, Journal of Microscopy 98, Part 1, pp. 67–77 (May 1973).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Information on the Polanret™ microscope, American Optical Corp., Scientific Instrument Div., Buffalo, N. Y 14215.

    Google Scholar 

  12. R. Hoffman and L. Gross, Modulation Contrast Microscope, Applied Optics 14,1169–1176 (1975).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. R. Hoffman, The modulation microscope—Principles and performance, Journal of Microscopy 110, Part 3, pp. 209–219 (August 1977).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. W. C. McCrone, A new dispersion staining objective, The Microscope 23, 221–226 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  15. G. C. Crossman, Stain Technology 24, 61 (1949).

    Google Scholar 

  16. G. C. Crossman, American Industrial Hygiene Quarterly 18, 341 (1957).

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. N. H. Hartshorne and A. Stuart, Crystals and the Polarising Microscope, 4th ed., Edward Arnold, Ltd., London, England (1970).

    Google Scholar 

  18. R. P. Cargille, Inc., Cedar Grove, N. J. 07009, special set of liquids for dispersion staining.

    Google Scholar 

  19. W. C. McCrone and J. G. Delly, Particle Atlas, 2nd ed., Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, Mich. 48106 (1973).

    Google Scholar 

  20. W. C. McCrone, reply to Letter to the editor by D. L. Faulkner and T. G. Rochow, The Microscope 20, 228–230 (1972).

    Google Scholar 

  21. W. C. McCrone and R. I. Johnson, Techniques, Instruments and Accessories for Microanalysts, A User’s Manual, Walter C. McCrone Associates, Chicago, Ill. 60616 (1974).

    Google Scholar 

  22. ASTM designation E-210, Microscope objective thread, American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103.

    Google Scholar 

  23. W. C. McCrone, Determination of n D , n F and n C by dispersion staining, The Microscope 23, 213–220 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

  24. J. Dodd and W. C. McCrone, A Schlieren eyepiece, The Microscope 23, 89–92 (1975).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1978 Plenum Press, New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Rochow, T.G., Rochow, E.G. (1978). Contrast: Phase, Amplitude, and Color. In: An Introduction to Microscopy by Means of Light, Electrons, X-Rays, or Ultrasound. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2454-6_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-2454-6_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4684-2456-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4684-2454-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics