The scanning electron microscope and its operations are described, and papermaking applications involving the use of secondary and rediffused electrons in forming topographic images are presented. The use of a bundle of electrons to bombard an object produces not only topographic contrasts but also chemical contrasts. The possibilities of using these chemical contrasts for microanalysis in the pulp and paper industry are discussed. Both the x-ray spectrometer with energy selection and instruments for detecting rediffused electrons are described, and their applications are illustrated by photographs of surfaces and sections of the paper being analyzed, x-ray mapping, and concentration profile. -- AATA