Short-pulse laser cleaning for Australian heritage conservation

We will investigate novel, short (picosecond) pulse laser surface processing techniques with high repetition rate lasers for the controlled layer-by-layer cleaning of heritage objects. Unlike longer (nanosecond) laser techniques employed elsewhere in art conservation, our short pulse process removes material at the molecular level, enabling precise treatment of surfaces. We will characterise and model the short pulse laser ablation process to understand the physical mechanisms needed to treat materials including metallic, painted, waxed, varnished and corroded surfaces. We will apply this technique to important Australian heritage collections, and in particular to modern objects for which conservation techniques are yet to be developed.