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Spectrocolorimetric control of ancient documents postablation with excimer lasers
O D Soares1, R M Miranda, J L Costa
1Centro de Ciencias e Tecnologias Opticas, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, PT-4150 Porto, Portugal.
Applied Optics
|March 8, 2008
Summary
Excimer laser ablation can clean mud from paper and parchment manuscripts, though control is challenging. Spectrocolorimetry effectively assesses color changes and aging after laser restoration.
Area of Science:
- Conservation Science
- Materials Science
- Art History
Background:
- Paper and parchment manuscripts require specialized restoration techniques.
- Excimer lasers offer a novel approach for cleaning and restoration.
- Previous methods faced challenges in precise material removal.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of excimer laser ablation for removing mud from Islamic manuscripts.
- To assess the impact of laser ablation on manuscript substrate and color.
- To develop methods for quantifying restoration effects and aging.
Main Methods:
- Utilized excimer laser ablation for targeted cleaning of mud-affected manuscripts.
- Employed spectrocolorimetry to measure color changes and aging indicators.
- Developed mathematical models to define original color and distribution parameters.
Main Results:
- Laser ablation successfully removed mud without affecting the manuscript substrate.
- Challenges in ablation control were noted due to similar binding energies.
- Spectrocolorimetry accurately detected color alterations and aging post-ablation.
- Distinguished effects of restoration, aging, and environmental conditions.
Conclusions:
- Excimer laser ablation is a viable technique for manuscript cleaning and restoration.
- Spectrocolorimetry and mathematical modeling enhance the evaluation of laser treatments.
- The methodology shows potential for broader applications in material analysis and conservation.
