A fluorescence lidar combining spectral, lifetime and imaging capabilities for the remote sensing of cultural heritage assets

This paper addresses the latest advancements concerning both instrumental features and applications to the cultural heritage of a fluorescence LIDAR featuring hyperspectral and time resolution imaging capabilities. In particular, it focuses on the instrument’s technical upgrade in terms of scan speed, enhanced spatial resolution and field of view, which permitted to extend the field of application of the LIDAR technique to wall paintings and to the classification of microbial communities. It also outlines a new concept of fluorescence imaging LIDAR based on the integration of hyperspectral and fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy, which enhances the capabilities of the technique for the characterization of the materials to be investigated in cultural heritage assets. The new prototype is able to acquire full 4D datasets over a remote surface: for each pixel of the image, a 2D datum featuring fluorescence intensity versus wavelength and time is recorded. In this paper we present the results obtained in the lab for the characterization of stone samples and in the field for the investigation of ancient frescoes.