IPERION CH - Integrated Platform for the European Research Infrastructure ON Cultural Heritage
Published September 13, 2016 | Version v1
Journal article Restricted

Polarization second harmonic generation discriminates between fresh and aged, starch-based adhesives used in cultural heritage

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 100 N. Plastira St., 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
  • 2. Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 100 N. Plastira St., 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece and Medical School, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
  • 3. Institute of Electronic Structure and Laser (IESL), Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), 100 N. Plastira St., 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece and Department of Physics, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece

Description

In this work we report that polarization second harmonic generation (PSHG) microscopy, commonly used in biomedical imaging, can quantitatively discriminate naturally aged from fresh starch-based glues, used for conservation or restoration of paintings, works of art on paper or even books. Several samples of fresh and aged (7 years) flour and starch pastes were investigated by use of PSHG. In this type of adhesives, widely used in cultural heritage conservation, the SHG contrast originates primarily from the starch granules. It was found that in aged glues, the starch SHG effective orientation (SHG angle, θ) shifts to significantly higher values, in comparison to the fresh granules. This shift is attributed to the different degree of granule hydration between fresh and aged adhesives. Thus non-invasive high-resolution non-linear scattering can be employed to detect and quantify the degree of deterioration of restoration adhesives and to provide guidance towards future conservation treatments.

Notes

We would like to acknowledge stimulating discussions with Prof. Dr. Demetrios Anglos. We acknowledge financial support from the EC through project IPERION CH-H2020-INFRAIA-654028. This work was performed in the framework of the POLITEIA research project (Action KRIPIS, project No MIS-448300) that was funded by the General Secretariat for Research and Technology, Ministry of Education, Greece and the European Regional Development Fund (Sectoral Operational Programme : Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship, NSRF 2007-2013)/ European Commission. V. Tsafas acknowledges financial support from the Manasaki Scholarship and E. Gavgiotaki acknowledges financial support from the European project "LASERLAB-EUROPE IV - BIOAPP" (GA 654148).

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Additional details

Funding

European Commission
IPERION CH - Integrated Platform for the European Research Infrastructure ON Cultural Heritage 654028
European Commission
LASERLAB-EUROPE - The Integrated Initiative of European Laser Research Infrastructures 654148