Laser techniques offer possibilities for the examination and conservation of artwork, and for the prevention of cultural heritage. This collection of peer reviewed papers from the 8th International Conference on Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks, Sibiu, Romania, September 21-25, 2009, addresses various aspects of cultural heritage preservation (laser induced phenomenas, laser investigations and recent laboratory studies and onsite applications). The main topics include: – Innovative approaches in laser cleaning researches and instrumentation development; – Laser investigation and diagnostics methods; – Monitoring, imaging and documentation of artwork. Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks VIII will appeal to laser scientists, conservation scientists, scientists in the field of optoelectronics, chemistry, IT and biology, conservators-restorers, architects, art historians, archaeologists, and decision makers in the field of conservation and restoration of artworks.

'Laser Cleaning in Conservation' is the first book to be written on this subject. Development of the laser as a practical tool has been a significant advance in the refinement of conservation techniques. It is only over the past five years that conservators have begun to realise the full potential of laser technology. The extremely selective cleaning offered by lasers results in very high quality work while minimising any damage caused. Martin Cooper's pioneering book will give anyone with an interest in the conservation of artworks a basic understanding of the laser cleaning technique so that they are aware of its advantages and limitations. Improved knowledge of the technique will lead to more widespread and responsible use and, therefore, improved conservation of artworks. Martin Cooper took both his first degree and PhD (laser cleaning of sculpture) at Loughborough University. He has since been working as a scientist in the Laser Technology section of the National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside, Liverpool, England, working closely with conservators to research and develop lasers for use in conservation. First book to be written on this subject areaDescribes pioneering work of John Larson and colleagues Includes chapter on laser cleaning of paintings Indepth and wide-ranging case studies show methods and results of use of lasers in conservation

Light allows us not only to see the works of art, but also to take care of them and preserve them for future generations, through diagnosis of the degradation and deterioration phenomena, conservation treatments, and monitoring based on light-material interaction processes. Recent progress on this subject was discussed during the 13th International Conference on Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks (LACONA XIII, Florence, Italy, 12-16 September 2022). This volume includes selected contributions presented at the conference on preservation topics, photonic techniques, and optimization methods. In particular, the papers focus on the development and use of innovative spectroscopic and imaging characterization techniques, the diagnostic knowledge of important artworks, and the optimization of the laser solution for preserving a growing variety of cultural assets, such as stone and metal artefacts, painted surfaces, textile, feather, and plastic artefacts. Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks XIII aims at scholars and operators of the community of preservation of cultural heritage, at teachers and students of training courses on diagnostic and conservation methods, applied physics, and chemistry, as well as archaeology and art history.

Laser systems and advanced optical techniques offer new solutions for conservation scientists, and provide answers to challenges in Conservation Science. Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks comprises selected contributions from the 7th International Conference on Lasers in the Conservation of Artworks (LACONA VII, Madrid, Spain, 17-21 September