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Cleaning of paper objects represents one of the most complex cases of laser ablation, since low volumes of dispersed material phases are evaporated while a sensitive and fragile fibrous organic matrix has to be preserved. Conventional chemical and mechanical cleaning methods suffer from the common phenomenon that the foreign matter is diluted into the substrate rather than removed. The application of a laser beam allows highly localized and optically specific interaction. However, the occurrence of extreme temperatures and light intensities may cause irreversible alteration of the paper matrix. Further, incomplete removal and/or chemical conversion of contaminations may result in insufficient cleaning or affect the ageing behaviour. Laser treatments were performed by Q-switched Nd:YAG lasers at three wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm). Papers contaminated with inks and adhesive-tape remnants served as model samples. Multispectral imaging and colorimetric results served to quantify and systematize the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper is one of the most important materials in cultural heritage given its extensive use as the data carrier for religious, artistic and scientific records. For both aesthetic and conservation reasons, cleaning of these materials is often needed. Current paper cleaning methods using conventional means are not always sufficient, e.g. for the local cleaning of paper in the vicinity of sensitive media. In this respect a ns-pulse laser provides a valuable tool for solving difficult cleaning problems. The influence of various laser wavelengths (355 nm, 532 nm, and 1064 nm) and the ageing status of modern paper test systems were studied. Colorimetric measurements, the determination of the average molecular mass of cellulose, and chemiluminescence analysis proved to be useful for the characterization of the laser-treated paper. Treatment with green laser light at λ=532 nm below the paper ablation threshold fluence gave the most promising results on pure papers, with no discolouration and no other visible alteration, nor detectable chemical changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]