Frederik Zernike (Amsterdam, July 16, 1888 – March 10, 1966) was a Dutch physicist and winner of the Nobel prize for physics in 1953 for his invention of the phase contrast microscope, an instrument that permits the study of internal cell structure without the need to stain and thus kill the cells. July 16 is the 197th day (198th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 168 days remaining. ... 1888 (MDCCCLXXXVIII) is a leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar or a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. ... March 10 is the 69th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (70th in Leap years). ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... A physicist is a scientist trained in physics. ... Sir Edward Appletons medal Photographs of Nobel Prize Medals. ... A Superconductor demonstrating the Meissner Effect. ... 1953 (MCMLIII) is a common year starting on Thursday. ... A phase contrast microscope is a microscope that does not require staining to view the slide. ... Cells in culture, stained for keratin (red) and DNA (green). ... Staining is a biochemical technique of adding a class-specific (DNA, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates) dye to a substrate to qualify or quantify the presence of a specific compound. ...

Among other contributions, he worked on Zernike polynomials, a mathematical technique since used in advanced optic systems for overcoming aberration. In mathematics the Zernike polynomials, named after Frits Zernike, are a sequence of orthogonal polynomials which play an important role in geometrical optics. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Zernike was the son of Carl Frederick August Zernike and Antje Dieperink, both of whom were teachers of mathematics; Zernike shared his passion for physics with his father. He studied chemistry (his major), mathematics and physics at the University of Amsterdam. In 1913 he became assistant to Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn at the astronomical laboratory of Groningen University. In 1915, he obtained a position in theoretical physics at the same university and in 1920 he was promoted to full professor of theoretical physics. In 1930, he was conducting research into spectral lines and discovered that the so-called ghost lines that occur to the left and right of each primary line in spectra created by means of a diffraction grating, have their phase shifted from that of the primary line by 90 degrees. This discovery lay at the base of the first phase contrast microscope, built during World War II. Euclid, detail from The School of Athens by Raphael. ... Multicolored chemicals are frequent hallmarks of chemistry. ... From Athenaeum Illustre to University In January 1632 two internationally acclaimed scientists, Caspar Barlaeus and Gerardus Vossius, held their inaugural speech in the Athenaeum Illustre - the illustrious school - which had its seat in the 14th-century Agnietenkapel. ... 1913 (MCMXIII) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... Jacobus Cornelius Kapteyn, (January 19, 1851 – June 18, 1922) was a Dutch astronomer, best known for his extensive studies of the Milky Way and as the first discoverer of evidence for galactic rotation. ... Front of the main building of the University of Groningen The University of Groningen (Dutch: Rijksuniversiteit Groningen or RuG) is a university in Groningen, Netherlands. ... 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Theoretical physics employs mathematical models in an attempt to understand Nature. ... 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January January 7 - Forces of Russian White admiral Kolchak surrender in Krasnoyarsk. ... 1930 (MCMXXX) is a common year starting on Wednesday. ... A spectral line is a dark or bright line in an otherwise uniform and continuous spectrum, resulting from an excess or deficiency of photons in a narrow frequency range, compared with the nearby frequencies. ... Legend: γ = Gamma rays HX = Hard X-rays SX = Soft X-Rays EUV = Extreme ultraviolet NUV = Near ultraviolet Visible light NIR = Near infrared MIR = Moderate infrared FIR = Far infrared Radio waves: EHF = Extremely high frequency (Microwaves) SHF = Super high frequency (Microwaves) UHF = Ultrahigh frequency VHF = Very high frequency HF = High frequency... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Combatants Allies: • Poland, • UK & Commonwealth, • France/Free France, • Soviet Union, • USA, • China, ...and others Axis: • Germany, • Italy, • Japan, ...and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total: 50 million Full list Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total: 12 million Full list World War II...

The university complex to the north of the city of Groningen is named after him (Zernike park), as is Zernike crater on the moon. Groningen is a municipality and city in the north of the Netherlands, and capital of Groningen province. ... Zernike is a lunar crater that is located on the Far side of the Moon. ... Bulk composition of the moons mantle and crust estimated, weight percent Oxygen 42. ...

External links

• Frits (Frederik) Zernike Photo
• Frits (Frederik) Zernike Biography