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9 - Cultural heritage applications of LIBS
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- By Demetrios Anglos, Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser, Foundation for Research and Technology–Hellas, Heraklion, John C. Miller, Life Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA
- Edited by Andrzej W. Miziolek, Vincenzo Palleschi, Israel Schechter, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa
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- Book:
- Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
- Published online:
- 08 August 2009
- Print publication:
- 07 September 2006, pp 332-367
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- Chapter
- Export citation
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Summary
Introduction
Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has emerged in the past ten years as a very promising technique for the analysis and characterization of a broad variety of objects of cultural heritage including painted artworks, icons, polychromes, pottery, sculpture, metal, glass, and stone objects. The analytical capabilities of LIBS with respect to its applications in the fields of archaeology, art history, and art conservation are discussed. Basic instrumentation requirements are briefly described followed by an analysis of critical parameters and methodological approaches. Illuminating examples from the application of LIBS in specific problems are presented demonstrating the potential of the technique in becoming a useful analytical tool for the characterization of works of art and archaeological objects.
The aim of this chapter is to provide an overview of the application of LIBS to the characterization of objects of cultural heritage. The basic principles and analytical features of the technique will be presented in relation to the specific fields of application and several illuminating examples will be given.
Following a brief introduction to the current use of physical and chemical techniques for addressing analytical questions and problems in the fields of art history, conservation, and archaeology, the basic principles of LIBS and its principal analytical advantages, within the context of the analysis of objects of art, are presented. A basic presentation of instrumentation issues is given, followed by a discussion of critical experimental parameters and methodological approaches that differ according to the analytical problem at hand.