Three methods for improving the image of phase-contrast microscopy are proposed. The first two methods subtract, from the ordinary phase-contrast image, the image obtained through an objective with different pupil functions from that of the ordinary objective. These methods can reduce the distortion due to nonlinearity to less than 1/10 of the ordinary phase-contrast image. The third method simply uses a brighter objective lens along with a television camera with offset adjustment. The brighter lens results in higher sensitivity and less distortion. Theory, computer simulation, and a few experimental results are presented.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

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