ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: In this study, we report on the analysis of the influence of laser wavelength and pulse duration on the modifications induced on paint constituents by using pulses of femtosecond, picosecond and nanosecond duration and wavelengths in the ultraviolet and the infrared spectral regions (213, 248, 265 and 1064 nm). The study was performed on model samples consisting of shellac varnished and unvarnished traditional artist’s pigment temperas, and on raw pigments. Comparison of the obtained results using different pulse durations and wavelengths illustrates the participation of mechanisms of diverse origin according to the pigment, binding media and varnish chemical composition, and highlights the importance of the optimization of the laser parameters by using laser wavelengths efficiently absorbed by the varnish and the binding media in combination with ultrashort pulses.
