Optical coherence tomography applied to investigations of optical properties of paintings

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), a fast 3D scanning Michelson interferometer normally applied to biomedical applications has recently been applied to art related subjects. In this thesis, the various applications of OCT to the non invasive imaging of paintings are explored in detail. The spectral reflectance and transparency of a variety of historic artists’ pigments in linseed oil or egg tempera medium are investigated and the best spectral window is found for OCT imaging of paintings. Different methods of OCT measurements of refractive indices of paint layers are presented. The first attempt of monitoring the cleaning treatment of a painting was presented in order to detect whether there was a change in the original paint surface after solvent cleaning of old varnish layers above the paint surface. Methods of revealing underdrawings (preparatory sketches) below the paint layers using OCT are explored to obtain the highest contrast images of underdrawings. One of the largest OCT underdrawing images is presented for the first time.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

mphil

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

masters

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Nottingham Trent University

Year dc:date.issued

2008

Author dc:creator

• Peric, B

Language dc:language

en