The methods developed and described are characterized by continuous transitions between different illumination modes. Thus, for instance, the resulting image can be modulated from a brightfield- to a darkfield-dominated apperance in VBDC, and in VPDC, the proportion of darkfield and phase contrast can be modulated in tiny steps so that the final image can be equalized or dominated by phase contrast or darkfield. These dynamic modulations cannot be presented in still images, but only by video techniques.

Therefore, as examples of the dynamic effects achievable, two short video clips have been made from suitable specimens showing variable superimpositions of bright- and darkfield (VBDC) and phase contrast and darkfield (VPDC). Supplementary short video clips show insertions and alignments of the all light outlets used for VBDC, VPDC and VPBC. The latter videos were taken with a phase telescope.

In addition to these short video clips, two extensive video has been created showing several specimens and variable transitions in all techniques developed (VBDC, light stop-based VBDC, VPDC, axial VPDC, axial and peripheral VPBC) and typical alignments of all corresponding light masks


The video clips mentioned can be downloaded from the following download servers (direct links for download):

Extensive video about all techniques developed (173 MB):

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6758235/Extensive-video--several-specimens.WMV.html

Download-link 2:
http://www.4shared.com/video/WAzwPW9H/Extensive_video_several_specim.html

Short videos about VBDC and VPDC:


Variable bright-darkfield contrast (VBDC), demonstrated with a snowflake (13.2 MB):

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6758008/VBDC-snow-flake--english.WMV.html

Download-link 2:
http://www.4shared.com/video/F1g3z_3F/VBDC_snow_flake_english.html


Variable phase-darkfield contrast (VPDC); demonstrated with a frozen section of a potato (24.0 MB):

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6757881/vpdc--potato--english.wmv.html

Download-link 2:
http://www.4shared.com/video/iPgIHQYr/VPDC_potato_english.html

Extensive video about insertions and alignments of the light outlets (9 MB):

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6758493/Alignments--extensive-Video.WMV.html

Download-link 2:
http://www.4shared.com/video/gS8AzD_T/Alignments_extensive_Video.html

Short videos about insertions and alignments of the light outlets:


Condenser-based variable bright-darkfield contrast (VBDC) (1.2 MB):

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6757942/condenser-based-VBDC--english.WMV.html

Download-link 2:
http://www.4shared.com/video/fKhctQAo/condenser-based_VBDC_english.html


Light stop-based variable bright-darkfield contrast (VBDC) (3.1 MB):

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6757947/light-stop-based-VBDC--english.WMV.html

Download-link 2:
http://www.4shared.com/video/4l4ftMBo/light_stop-based_VBDC_english.html


Concentric-peripheral variable phase-darkfield contrast (VPDC) (2.6 MB)

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6757956/peripheral-VPDC--alignment--english.WMV.html

Download-link 2:
http://www.4shared.com/video/nOP6CYOq/peripheral_VPDC_alignment_engl.html


Axial variable phase-darkfield contrast (VPDC) (3.1 MB):

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6757968/axial-VPDC--alignment--english.WMV.html

Download-link 2:
http://www.4shared.com/video/OEB2VUxv/axial_VPDC_alignment_english.html


Concentric-peripheral variable phase-brightfield contrast (VPBC) (3.3 MB)

Download-link 1:
http://www.file-upload.net/download-6757975/peripheral-VPBC--alignment--english.WMV.html