Public Funding for Lynton Lasers Limited

This project will develop a novel laser cleaning system for artwork conservation. Laser cleaning is an extremely controllable and sensitive method of removing unsightly and potentially damaging pollution encrustations, paint layers, corrosion layers and other unwanted surface accretions from works of art and other heritage objects. The vast majority of laser cleaning systems deliver laser radiation at a wavelength of 1064nm, which is ideal for high quality cleaning of a wide range of materials, including: marble, limestone, sandstone, terracotta and plaster. This project will focus on developing a laser handpiece, compatible with Lynton Lasers Compact Phoenix system, to deliver laser radiation at 2940nm for treating artefacts which cannot be cleaned satisfactorily using laser radiation at 1064nm or by more traditional methods of cleaning. Such layers include old discoloured varnish layers from paintings, organic substances from stone carvings and corrosion layers from archaeological metal artefacts. The development of a novel hybrid 1064/2940nm laser cleaning system would be a world first, making Lynton Lasers’ Compact Phoenix system the most versatile laser cleaning system currently available for conservation.