Who was Zernike?

Frits Zernike was a Dutch physicist known for his work in optical physics and microscopy, particularly for developing the phase contrast microscopy technique. Born in 1888, he won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1953 for his contributions to the field, which allowed for the observation of transparent specimens without the need for staining. His innovations significantly advanced biological and medical research by enabling clearer imaging of living cells. Zernike's legacy continues to influence modern microscopy and imaging techniques.