Applications of photoacousticlphotothermal (PAIFT) detection to molecular spectroscopy are reviewed with special emphasis on the use of step-scan Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) PA spectroscopy for chemical analysis and for spectral depth profiling of laminar and other heterogeneous materials, particularly by use of the phase of the PA signal. Examples are drawn from recent work in our laboratory, as well as from the work of others, as appropriate.