ABSTRACT
The infrared microscope was introduced into the 3M Company about a decade ago. Since then, its use has spread rapidly throughout the company. To some extent use of infrared (IR) microspectroscopy has replaced standard infrared techniques, but in most cases the microscope added to the laboratories' workload because it could solve problems more quickly and efficiently than could other analytical methods. However, the microscope does not automatically allow un skilled or untrained personnel to solve problems with IR any more easily. In our experience, the technique of IR microscopy is more demanding in terms of the skill level needed, not less. The effective spectroscopists now must have microscopy skills in addition to the other sample preparation skills that he or she had before.
