Development of a multi-wavelength laser cleaning system for artwork conservation

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This project will develop a novel laser cleaning system for artwork conservation. Lasercleaning is an extremely controllable and sensitive method of removing unsightly andpotentially damaging pollution encrustations, paint layers, corrosion layers and otherunwanted surface accretions from works of art and other heritage objects. The vast majority oflaser cleaning systems deliver laser radiation at a wavelength of 1064nm, which is ideal forhigh quality cleaning of a wide range of materials, including: marble, limestone, sandstone,terracotta and plaster. This project will focus on developing a laser handpiece, compatiblewith Lynton Lasers Compact Phoenix system, to deliver laser radiation at 2940nm for treatingartefacts which cannot be cleaned satisfactorily using laser radiation at 1064nm or by moretraditional methods of cleaning. Such layers include old discoloured varnish layers frompaintings, organic substances from stone carvings and corrosion layers from archaeologicalmetal artefacts. The development of a novel hybrid 1064/2940nm laser cleaning system wouldbe a world first, making Lynton Lasers’ Compact Phoenix system the most versatile lasercleaning system currently available for conservation.