Lasers and modern optics in art conservation: fundamental aspects and applications

Abstract

There is a number of laser material processing, spectroscopic and interferometric techniques, which have been adapted to the requirements in a variety of demanding conservation applications. Nowadays, there is a number of succesful examples of laser cleaning and diagnostic applications of artworks and antiquities, which rely on the use of different types of lasers. Laser based diagnostic techniques are largely non-intrusive and appropriate for the in situ analysis of composition and structural diagnosis of objects. In contrast, the intrusive character of laser cleaning is raising several challenging questions for its safe applications. Laser spectroscopic techniques, for the on line monitoring of the laser cleaning process together with fundamental studies for parameter optimization are critical in this respect. Selected examples will be given and the prospects and limitations of laser technology in art conservation will be discussed.