Terahertz imaging of hidden paint layers on canvas

We present terahertz reflection images of hidden paint layers in a painting on canvas. We compare these with results obtained using X-ray Radiography and near-infrared imaging. Contrary to other techniques, we show that terahertz imaging is capable of providing information on the thickness of the hidden paint layers. We also present early results on reflection measurement of different colored paints applied on a thick copper plate.

[1]  M. Koch,et al.  Terahertz imaging: a new non-destructive technique for the quality control of plastic weld joints , 2007 .

[2]  M. Koch,et al.  Detection of foreign bodies in chocolate with pulsed terahertz spectroscopy , 2008 .

[3]  P. Jepsen,et al.  Detection of THz pulses by phase retardation in lithium tantalate. , 1996, Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics.

[4]  R. Schouten,et al.  Design and performance of a THz emission and detection setup based on a semi-insulating GaAs emitter , 2002 .

[5]  David Saunders,et al.  A New Camera for High-Resolution Infrared Imaging of Works of Art , 2006 .

[6]  A. Bravin,et al.  Visualization of pigment distributions in paintings using synchrotron K-edge imaging , 2006 .

[7]  M. Menu,et al.  Terahertz imaging for non-destructive evaluation of mural paintings , 2008 .

[8]  Xiang Zhang,et al.  Two‐dimensional electro‐optic imaging of THz beams , 1996 .

[9]  Iwao Hosako,et al.  Application of terahertz spectroscopy for character recognition in a medieval manuscript , 2008, IEICE Electron. Express.

[10]  Uwe Ewert,et al.  Terahertz birefringence of liquid crystal polymers , 2006 .

[11]  Koen Janssens,et al.  Visualization of a lost painting by Vincent van Gogh using synchrotron radiation based X-ray fluorescence elemental mapping. , 2008, Analytical chemistry.

[12]  M. Nuss,et al.  Imaging with terahertz waves. , 1995, Optics letters.

[13]  Costas Fotakis,et al.  Terahertz time domain spectroscopy for the analysis of cultural heritage related materials , 2008 .

[14]  D. Mittleman,et al.  T-ray imaging , 1996 .

[15]  Xicheng Zhang,et al.  Materials for terahertz science and technology , 2002, Nature materials.

[16]  Paola Coan,et al.  Relics in medieval altarpieces? Combining X-ray tomographic, laminographic and phase-contrast imaging to visualize thin organic objects in paintings. , 2008, Journal of synchrotron radiation.

[17]  L. Boivin,et al.  T-ray tomography. , 1997 .

[18]  P. Planken,et al.  Measurement and calculation of the orientation dependence of terahertz pulse detection in ZnTe , 2001 .

[19]  K. Fukunaga,et al.  Real-time terahertz imaging for art conservation science , 2008 .

[20]  P. Planken,et al.  Terahertz polarization imaging. , 2005, Optics letters.

[21]  Iwao Hosako,et al.  Terahertz spectroscopy for art conservation , 2007, IEICE Electron. Express.