Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
Infrared microspectroscopy is useful for characterizing media in very small cross sectionsamples using both transmission and reflection modes of analysis. In a direct comparison of the two methods, reflection techniques produce poorer quality spectra than the transmission methods. However, many of the problems of reflection spectra can be mitigated by looking at the variations that occur between spectra obtained under similar conditions. An excellent venue for such a study is the use of infrared mapping. Mapping studies compare the intensities of absorption bands versus their location in the sample to generate an image of compositional differences in a region. Several examples are shown in this paper for the application of infrared mapping to the determination of components in thin section and cross section samples. The technique for infrared mapping was also used as a direct, nondestructive method for the characterization of colorants and binders on a small painted manuscript leaf. Compared to the paint cross sections, four relatively large areas (1 cm2) were mapped with the infrared microscope then joined together using a mosaic technique.