Electron Microscopy Technique: after embedding tissues in epoxy resin, a microtome equipped with a glass or gem grade diamond knife is used to cut very thin sections (typically 60 to 100 nanometer).
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These extremely thin cuts are important for use with transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy (SBFSEM), and are sometimes also important for light-optical microscopy.
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Spectroscopy (especially FTIR or Infrared spectroscopy) Technique: thin polymer sections are needed in order that the infra-red beam will penetrate the sample under examination.