Sensors (Oct 2008)

Characterization of Laser Cleaning of Artworks

  • Antoni Rycyk,
  • Roman Ostrowski,
  • Wojciech Skrzeczanowski,
  • Antoni Sarzyński,
  • Marek Strzelec,
  • Michalina Góra,
  • Piotr Targowski,
  • Andrzej Koss,
  • Jan Marczak

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/s8106507
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 10
pp. 6507 – 6548

Abstract

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The main tasks of conservators of artworks and monuments are the estimation and analysis of damages (present condition), object conservation (cleaning process), and the protection of an object against further degradation. One of the physical methods that is becoming more and more popular for dirt removal is the laser cleaning method. This method is non-contact, selective, local, controlled, self-limiting, gives immediate feedback and preserves even the gentlest of relief - the trace of a paintbrush. Paper presents application of different, selected physical sensing methods to characterize condition of works of art as well as laser cleaning process itself. It includes, tested in our laboratories, optical surface measurements (e.g. colorimetry, scatterometry, interferometry), infrared thermography, optical coherent tomography and acoustic measurements for “on-line” evaluation of cleaning progress. Results of laser spectrometry analyses (LIBS, Raman) will illustrate identification and dating of objects superficial layers.

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