Laser-induced Chemical Changes in Art Materials

摘要

Lasers can induce subtle and not so subtle changes in material structure. We have found that certain pigments can undergo chemical and crystallographic changes and concomitant color shifts. Minerals and the related pigments may experience a loss of hydroxyl groups or other chemical reordering. The organic component of skeletal, keratinaceous, and cellulosic materials can be pyrolized, ablated, or etched. Polymers can discolor, undergo structural weakening, or be volatilized. A few of these processes have been investigated with regards to changes on ivory and bone, selected pigments and the removal of dye-based pen ink from porous substrates.