Time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and imaging: new approaches to the analysis of cultural heritage and its degradation.
Applications of time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy (TRPL) and fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to the analysis of cultural heritage are presented. Examples range from historic wall paintings and stone sculptures to 20th century iconic design objects. A detailed description of the instrumentation developed and employed for analysis in the laboratory or in situ is given. Both instruments rely on a pulsed laser source coupled to a gated detection system, but differ in the type of information they provide. Applications of FLIM to the analysis of model samples and for the in-situ monitoring of works of art range from the analysis of organic materials and pigments in wall paintings, the detection of trace organic substances on stone sculptures, to the mapping of luminescence in late 19th century paintings. TRPL and FLIM are employed as sensors for the detection of the degradation of design objects made in plastic. Applications and avenues for future research are suggested.
Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFN-CNR), Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy. austin.nevin@ifn.cnr.it.
Austin
A
Nevin
Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy. anna.cesaratto@polimi.it.
Anna
A
Cesaratto
Istituto di Fotonica e Nanotecnologie-Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IFN-CNR), Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy. sara.bellei@polimi.it.
Sara
S
Bellei
Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy. cosimo.dandrea@polimi.it.
Cosimo
C
D'Andrea
Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali ed Ingegneria Chimica "G. Natta", Politecnico di Milano, via Mancinelli 7, 20131 Milano, Italy. lucia.toniolo@polimi.it.
Lucia
L
Toniolo
Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy. gianluca.valentini@polimi.it.
Gianluca
G
Valentini
Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy. daniela.comelli@polimi.it.
Daniela
D
Comelli
D003469:Culture; D005453:Fluorescence; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D007834:Lasers; D049449:Luminescence; D010151:Paintings; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis; D012613:Sculpture; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors
D011108:Polymers