IPERION HSIntegrated Platform for the European Research Infrastructure

Terahertz imaging

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and imaging is a non-destructive, non-contact, non-invasive technology emerging as a tool for the analysis of cultural heritage. THz Time Domain Spectroscopy (TDS) techniques have the ability to retrieve information from different layers within a stratified sample. The most explored topicsŃparticularly using time-domain terahertz systemsŃinclude stratigraphic examinations of wood panel paintings and plaster-covered wall paintings. However, investigations have expanded to include terahertz imaging of ceramic vessels, corroded metal objects and papyrus sheets. The data can be displayed through a series of parametric images mapping the imaging area with different arguments as parameters (maximum/minimum amplitude, peak to peak, frequency integration etc.) or as a cross section. In this case, if no sample of the wall material is taken, an assumption must be made on the nature of the material constituting the under-layer to determine the thickness and approximate depth location of the different layers.

Fields of application

  • Cultural heritage

    archaeological object and site, architecture, art, decorative arts, sculpture

  • Natural heritage

    fossil, mineral, shell, skeleton

Materials

  • inorganic

    ceramic (clay/mud brick/terracotta/earthenware/stoneware/porcelain), glass, stone, pigments

  • organic

    binding media, wood

TOOLS

THz-TDS imaging system

The experiments were conducted with a Picometrix T-Ray 4000® THz-TDS imaging system. The system basically consisted in a box, which includes all optical components and an ultrafast laser, an emitter and receiver separately. The mode-locked, two-stage, amplified, Ytterbium fiber pump laser operated with a center wavelength near 1064nm, a 100fs pulse width, a 50MHz repetition...