This paper investigates optical coherence tomography (OCT) as an advanced, non-invasive method for 2D and 3D imagingof the surface and subsurface morphology of glass cultural heritage. The OCT system used is a commercial ThorLabsGanymede II Fourier domain system with a 930 nm center wavelength, axial resolution of 4-6 μm, and lateral resolutionof about 6 μm. Results from model alkali silicate glass artificially aged at 90 ºC and 90% RH allow distinction of realfeatures from artifacts produced by the highly reflective glass, and serve as a basis for interpretation of deteriorationphenomena. Analytical results from historical glass artifacts are focused on a group of musical glass flutes created in Parisby Claude Laurent between 1807 and 1848. OCT images are compared to results of destructive analysis of the samesamples and objects by scanning electron microscopy with backscattered electron imaging of cross-sections, as well asnon-invasive light microscopy and NIR-SWIR fiber optic reflectance spectrometry, the latter of which yieldscomplementary molecular information in terms of water vibrations in hydrated glass.
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