Laser ablation in artwork restoration: Benefits and problems

The application of photoablative cleaning achieved with laser radiation for the restoration of stones, stained glasses and paintings has been under study in the recent few years. The aim of these efforts has been focussed in the use of a physical approach to the cleaning of degenerated or deposited layers keeping the maximum control of the photophysical effects induced on the artwork surfaces. Laser ablation can afford this task with a class of pulsed lasers emitting in the near infrared and ultraviolet region: Nd:YAG and the excimers lasers. In this work a survey is presented dealing with the experimental modelling with the aim to identify the issues which nee to be addressed.