Laser techniques have demonstrated very promising applications for diagnostic and restoration purposes in art conservation. Nevertheless only in the last decade a growing interest in Europe has brought this innovative approach to be tested and validated on various important tasks: laser cleaning of stone, metals, paintings, paper etc; structural laser diagnostics of frescoes and art objects; compositional laser diagnostics of materials; environmental laser monitoring etc. Many programs funded by the European Commission have contributed to the development of new laser instruments and techniques. Presently the COST Action G7 is pursuing the main task of monitoring the advancements achieved in the development of new instrumentation, accumulating validation of laser based techniques with case studies, extending the use of laser for conservation in Europe and other countries, selecting best practices and preparing safety guidelines.

Date Published: 7 June 2005
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 5850, Advanced Laser Technologies 2004, (7 June 2005); doi: 10.1117/12.633536

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 5850:
Advanced Laser Technologies 2004
Ivan A. Shcherbakov; Anna Giardini; Vitali I. Konov; Vladimir I. Pustovoy, Editor(s)