50 YEARS NOBEL PRIZE FRITS ZERNIKE IN PHASE CONTRAST MICROSCOPY (1953 – 2003)
Gundllach H.
Carls Zeiss, Central Research and Technology, Oberkochen, Germany The exact design of the microscope was established from the theory for image formation developed by Ernst Abbe in 1873. With the introduction of apochromatic lenses and oil immersion, a theoretical limit of resolution of 200 nm (0,2µ) became available at this early stage. The back focal plane of the objective is one of the most important planes in the microscope, in relation to illumination and especially contrast. In 1935, the Dutch physicist Frits Zernike published his work on phase contrast microscopy, which is based on recognising the difference between the diffraction pattern formed by an absorbing and non absorbing object.Because of the importance in the application in biology and medicine, Zernike wae awarded with the Nobel price in physics in 1953. The first prototype of a phase contrast microscope was constructed in 1936 by Zeiss in Jena. Following this, in 1941, Dr. Kurt Michel, head of the department of microscopy in Jena, produced the first movie in phase contrast on 35 mm of the Meiosis in spermatogenesis of the grass hopper (Psophus stridulus L.). This film is now available on a DVD and will be shown during the congress.
References:
Abbe, E.: Arch. Mikrosk. Anatomie, 9, 413, 1873
Köhler, A., W. Loos:. Die Naturwissenschaften 29, Heft 4, S. 49-61, 1941
Michel, K.: Die Naturwissen-schaften 29, Heft 4, S.61-62, 1941
Michel, K.: Die Reifeteilung (Meiose) bei der Spermatogenese der Schnarrheuschrecke (Psophus stridulus L.). Institut für den Wissenschaftlichen Film, Göttingen, 1958
Zernike, F.: Z. techn. Physik 16, S. 454-457, 1935
