Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage

Examines the role of lasers in the restoration, cleaning, and analysis of cultural artifactsDiscusses the physics underlying the interactions involved in cleaning and restoration processesConsiders the application of laser-based techniques to the most commonly encountered materialsExplains the use of lasers to identify fractures and deformations in artifacts on a much smaller scale than previously possible Beginning with an introduction to the basic spectroscopic techniques used in conservation and archaeometry, Lasers in the Preservation of Cultural Heritage describes the fundamental laser-matter interaction that underlies most restoration and cleaning methods, and it examines the applications of these methods to the most commonly encountered materials. The book goes on to consider structural diagnostics through interferometric techniques - methods that identify deformations and distortions (the precursors to crack formation) at a much smaller scale than previously possible. In conclusion, the authors discuss the future prospects of laser techniques.