Optical Coherence Tomography for Artwork Diagnostics

Abstract

An overview of the optical coherence tomography (OCT) technique is given. Time domain, spectral and sweep source modalities are briefly described, and important physical parameters of the OCT instrument are discussed. Examples of the application of OCT to diagnosis of various art objects such as oil paintings on canvas (imaging of glaze and varnish layers), porcelain, faience, and parchment are presented. Applications to surface profilometry of painting on canvas are also discussed.