Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a system for synthesizing an intensity pattern based on generalized phase contrast imaging. The phase filter contains a plurality of phase shifting regions that is matched to the layout of a light source array, each of the regions being positioned at the zero-order diffraction region of a respective element of the array. Further, the shape of each phase shifting region may match the shape of the zero-order diffraction region of the respective element. Thus, the energy of the electromagnetic fields of the system may be distributed over a large area compared to the area of a zero-order diffraction region of a single plane electromagnetic field of a known phase contrast imaging system.