The usefulness of Differential Contrast Interference (DIC) light microscopy for observing fine details within transparent specimens is well known. However, when viewed by the eye or by recording with photographic emulsion, fine structural detail at the limit of resolution is often not visible because of lack of contrast. To overcome this problem, electronic contrast enhancement capabilities of video cameras have been used to enhance structural details that would otherwise be invisible. The technique, commonly referred to as VE-DIC (Video Enhanced DIC), uses first analog contrast enhancement of the image with a video camera followed by a real-time digital image processor to further enhance the image with. We are exploring the feasibility of achieving fine structural detail of live cells by directly acquiring digital images of them with a high resolution CCD camera.

High resolution cooled slow-scan 12-bit CCD cameras are well suited for DIC microscopy because of their greater dynamic range than video CCD cameras that are normally 8-bits or lower.