Laser scanning confocal microscopy in polymer science

This review collects recent advances in the application of laser scanning confocal microscopy, a novel method for morphological studies in polymer science. The laser scanning confocal microscope, which improves the resolution ofa conventional light microscope by replacing the light source with a scanning laser and by introducing a pinhole in the backfocal plane, is a powerful tool for obtaining detailed three-dimensional information about polymer morphologies. Investigations ofa variety of polymer blends and polymer fiber systems are presented, and advantages, as well as disadvantages, of the method are discussed.