PHYSICAL FUNDAMENTALS OF LASER CLEANING OF ARTWORKS

Analysis of physical phenomena at laser cleaning of surface of artworks in the process of restoration was carried out. Mechanisms of photo-thermal and photo-chemical ablation was considered in details. Modelling experiments on laser ablation of modelling stone samples having layers of crust impurities, which are typical for out-door monuments, were carried out in addition to analysis of scientific literature. It was shown that accurate choice of output parameters of laser is required while it is used for cleaning of artworks. Most important laser parameter at monuments surface treatment is pulse duration.

Authors: V. A. Parfenov

Direction: Instrument Engineering and Information-Measurement Technologies

Keywords: Laser cleaning, laser ablation, artworks, restoration, pulsed Nd:YAG-laser

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