1. A system for phase contrast imaging of a sample comprising: a) a light source for illuminating the sample, wherein a first beam splitter generates from the light source at least a first beam of light and a second beam of light, wherein a first optical element is configured to collect light from the first beam of light that is not diffracted by the sample, and wherein a second optical element is configured to collect light from the second beam of light that is diffracted by the sample and that is not diffracted by the sample; b) at least four devices used to generate a sequential phase delay, wherein the first beam of light is split into at least four phase delays by passage through the at least four devices used to generate a sequential phase delay; wherein the at least four devices to generate the sequential phase delay are electronically synchronized to a detector; c) a detector that collects the light from the first beam of light after passage through the at least four devices used to generate the sequential phase display and further collects the light from the second beam of light later after passage through the sample; and d) a synchronization device, wherein the synchronization device is a pulse generator; and e) a second beam splitter collects the light from the sample and undiffracted reference beam.