Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Principles and Applications (Optics and Optoelectronics)

With the maturation of laser technology in diagnostic and conservation applications, conservation scientists, archeologists, art historians, researchers, and advanced science-oriented students now have the tools necessary for preserving the future of our past-our cultural heritage. Presenting recent developments in the field, Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Principles and Applications addresses the basic concepts of laser applications and supplies case studies of analytical, structural diagnostic, and laser cleaning applications. The book provides a comprehensive presentation of the fundamental principles and applications of modern laser technology in the analysis of composition, diagnostics of structural integrity, and conservation of artworks and antiquities. Beginning with an introduction to the basic techniques used in art conservation and archeology, the book describes the fundamental aspects of laser-matter interactions, emphasizing laser diagnostics and laser processing applications. The next few chapters focus on laser-based spectroscopic techniques for the analysis of the composition of materials in art and archaeology, including laser-induced breakdown, Raman, and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The book proceeds to highlight nondestructive diagnostic techniques, laser processing applications, laser applications for the cleaning of paintings and stone, and methods for the removal of encrustations. It concludes with case studies for the conservation of materials like parchment, paper, metal, ivory, and wood, and includes conservation approaches for modern paintings. Bridging science with art, Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage presents a systematic overview of the fundamentals and applications of laser techniques in artwork conservation and archeological science. "With the maturation of laser technology in diagnostic and conservation applications, conservation scientists, archeologists, art historians, researchers, and advanced science-oriented students now have the tools necessary for preserving the future of our past-our cultural heritage. Presenting recent developments in the field, Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Principles and Applications addresses the basic concepts of laser applications and supplies case studies of analytical, structural diagnostic, and laser cleaning applications. The book provides a comprehensive presentation of the fundamental principles and applications of modern laser technology in the analysis of composition, diagnostics of structural integrity, and conservation of artworks and antiquities. Beginning with an introduction to the basic techniques used in art conservation and archeology, the book describes the fundamental aspects of laser-matter interactions, emphasizing laser diagnostics and laser processing applications. The next few chapters focus on laser-based spectroscopic techniques for the analysis of the composition of materials in art and archaeology, including laser-induced breakdown, Raman, and laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopic techniques. The book proceeds to highlight nondestructive diagnostic techniques, laser processing applications, laser applications for the cleaning of paintings and stone, and methods for the removal of encrustations. It concludes with case studies for the conservation of materials like parchment, paper, metal, ivory, and wood, and includes conservation approaches for modern paintings. Bridging science with art, Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage presents a systematic overview of the fundamentals and applications of laser techniques in artwork conservation and archeological science."--Publisher's website Front cover 1 Preface 8 Authors 10 Table of Contents 12 Chapter 1. Introduction 18 Chapter 2. Fundamentals of the Laser Diagnostics and Interactions with Matter 42 Chapter 3. Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS): Cultural Heritage Applications 70 Chapter 4. Raman Spectroscopy in Cultural Heritage 112 Chapter 5. Laser Interferometry for Direct Structural Diagnostics 142 Chapter 6. Overview of Laser Processing and Restoration Methods 200 Chapter 7. Laser Cleaning of Polymerized Substrates: Removal of Surface Resin from Paintings 246 Chapter 8. Laser Cleaning of Encrustations 280 Chapter 9. Laser Cleaning of Other Materials 316 Index 336 Back cover 366 9780750308731 Taylor & Francis This book provides a systematic approach of all aspects of laser applications in conservation. Beginning with an introduction to the basic spectroscopic techniques used in art conservation and archeology, the book describes the fundamental laser-matter interactions that underlie most conservation and cleaning methods. It examines the applications of these methods to the most commonly encountered materials. The authors proceed to consider structural diagnostics through interferometric techniques - methods that identify deformations and distortions (the precursors to crack formation) at a much s "Presenting recent developments in the field, Lasers In the Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Principles and Applications addresses the basic concepts underlying laser-based methods used in the field of cultural preservation and supplies case studies of analytical, structural diagnostic, and laser cleaning applications."--BOOK JACKET