A strongly photo-yellowed paper, whose surface had been ground off to
different depths, was subjected to various Fourier transform infrared
(FT-IR) techniques, including attenuated total reflectance (ATR), diff
use reflectance (DRIFT), photoacoustic (PA), and potassium bromide pel
let (KBr) spectroscopy. Depth profiling of the paper was accomplished
by monitoring specific infrared bands which showed systematic and cons
istent changes caused by irradiation. The results from the different F
ourier transform infrared techniques were compared.