Abstract: A method for investigating one or a plurality of phase objects is described, in which a grid made up of elements is used, which is illuminated with light of a light source, the coherence length of which is larger than the average spacing of adjacent elements of the grid. A diffraction image of the illuminating light scattered on the grid is generated, whereby the one or the plurality of phase objects are placed in the light path between the light source and the grid and/or in the light path of the illuminating light scattered on the grid. At least a part of the diffraction image is detected by an optical sensor directly or after interaction with further optical components and converted into a signal. The signal is analyzed further in order to ascertain information relating to the one or plurality of phase objects therefrom. A corresponding device is likewise described.

Abstract: A method for investigating one or a plurality of phase objects is described, in which a grid made up of elements is used, which is illuminated with light of a light source, the coherence length of which is larger than the average spacing of adjacent elements of the grid. A diffraction image of the illuminating light scattered on the grid is generated, whereby the one or the plurality of phase objects are placed in the light path between the light source and the grid and/or in the light path of the illuminating light scattered on the grid. At least a part of the diffraction image is detected by an optical sensor directly or after interaction with further optical components and converted into a signal. The signal is analysed further in order to ascertain information relating to the one or plurality of phase objects therefrom. A corresponding device is likewise described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the electrophoretic separation of particles, especially of macromolecules, comprising the steps of applying the particles to be separated on a substrate supported membrane, such that the particles are mobile across the surface of the substrate supported membrane; providing an electrical field such that electrical fields are formed along the surface across which the particles are mobile; and temporarily modifying the electrical field and/or adding a substrate supported membrane having a structured surface, wherein the direction and/or the strength of the electrical field are temporarily modified and/or wherein the substrate supported membrane is structured so that a force is acting on the particles that leads to a movement depending on the length of the particles. Moreover, a substrate is provided, in particular, for supporting a membrane during the performing of the inventive methods, that comprises an optically transparent material.