Laser Techniques for Conservation of Artworks

The potential of laser techniques in conservation has needed a long development period to be fully demonstrated. The possibility to achieve a very precise and selective removal of deteriorated materials was implemented through a series of interdisciplinary studies focussed on laser ablation of specific materials. A suitable choice of the laser types and of the operating parameters could optimise the cleaning results, avoiding side effects while preserving the historical layers behind deposits and encrustation. An extensive validation carried out on a number of renowned masterpieces has definitely spread the interest of the conservation community for laser techniques in many European countries. The paper reviews the development of specific laser cleaning techniques for stone, metals, pigments and organic substances, which require different choices of laser wavelength and pulse width.