1. A system for phase contrast imaging of a sample comprising: 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; a plurality of devices used to generate a sequential phase delay, wherein the first beam of light is split into a plurality of phase delays by passage through the plurality of devices used to generate the sequential phase delay; a second beam splitter positioned to collect the light from the sample and undiffracted reference beam; a detector that collects the light from the first beam of light after passage through the plurality of devices used to generate the sequential phase delay and further collects the light from the second beam of light later after passage through the sample; and a synchronization device configured to synchronize the plurality of devices to the detector, wherein the synchronization device is a pulse generator.