A versatile microfadometer for lightfastness testing and pigment identification

Lerwill, A, Townsend, JH, Liang, H ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9496-406X, Hackney, S and Thomas, J, 2007. A versatile microfadometer for lightfastness testing and pigment identification. Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering, 6618. ISSN 0277-786X

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Abstract

The design and experimental method for the use of a novel instrument for lightfastness measurements on artwork is presented. The new microfadometer design offers increased durability and portability over the previous, published design, broadening the scope of locations at which data can be acquired. This reduces the need for art handling or transportation in order to gain evidence-based risk assessments for the display of light-sensitive artworks. The instrument focuses a stabilized high powered xenon lamp to a spot 0.25 millimeters (FWHM) while simultaneously monitoring color change. This makes it possible to identify pigments and determine the lightfastness of materials effectively and non-destructively. With 2.59mW or 0.82 lumens (1.7 x107 lux for a 0.25mm focused spot) the instrument is capable of fading Blue Wool 1 to a measured 11 ΔEab value (using CIE standard illuminant D65) in 15 minutes. The temperature increase created by focused radiation was measured to be 3 to 4°C above room temperature. The system was stable within 0.12 ΔEab over 1 hour and 0.31 ΔEab over 7 hours. A safety evaluation of the technique is discussed which concludes that some caution should be employed when fading smooth, uniform areas of artworks. The instrument can also incorporate a linear variable filter. This enables the researcher to identify the active wavebands that cause certain degradation reactions and determine the degree of wavelength dependence of fading. Some preliminary results of fading experiments on Prussian blue samples from the paint box of J. M. W Turner (1755-1851) are presented.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Proceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Creators:	Lerwill, A., Townsend, J.H., Liang, H., Hackney, S. and Thomas, J.
Publisher:	SPIE
Date:	2007
Volume:	6618
ISBN:	9780819467607
ISSN:	0277-786X
Identifiers:	Number Type 10.1117/12.726029 DOI
Rights:	Copyright © 2007 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	EPrints Services
Date Added:	09 Oct 2015 10:23
Last Modified:	09 Jun 2017 13:28
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/12261

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