# Tutorial: Phase Plate Data

## How to specify phase plate data

You can specify the data was collected using a phase plate, when you import the corresponding movies or micrographs.

### Import phase plate movies or micrographs

When importing phase plate movies or micrographs, use the Phase Plate Data toggle in the `Import Movies` or `Import Micrographs` jobs to indicate that you are importing phase plate data. Subsequent jobs that use the imported phase plate data, will adjust their relevant parameters accordingly (for more details, see below: Jobs affected by phase plate data).

![](https://1916621962-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M7DGv3GkRvGGpbVPCgg%2F-MM2JbJEET5s6ZM-_dik%2F-MM2JqxRNqF82tW_wb_X%2F4neg-stain-phase-plate-4.png?alt=media\&token=a2604985-8e9a-4e53-8b8e-f90f14719a74)

## Jobs and parameters affected by Phase Plate Data

1. `Import Movies`: "Phase Plate Data" toggle will set `mscope_params/phase_plate` to `1` (True)
2. `Import Micrographs`: "Phase Plate Data" toggle will set `mscope_params/phase_plate` to `1` (True)
3. `Patch CTF Estimation`: Enables phase-shift search & refinement
4. `CTFFIND4 Wrapper`: Enables phase-shift search & refinement

## Data type reference chart

| Data Type      | Data Sign | Description   |
| -------------- | --------- | ------------- |
| Cryo-EM        | +1        | dark-on-light |
| Negative Stain | -1        | light-on-dark |

**Note:** Cryo-EM data is typically recorded as +1 (dark-on-light) but is often inverted during processing.