THz spectroscopy for art conservation…and even more
THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz–TDS) is a suitable approach to study the state of preservation of cultural heritage made of organic materials in a non-destructive way. This technique highlights, in particular, the low–energy vibrational properties of these materials and the presence of the H-bonds between molecules [1]. We focus in particular on the study of modern artificially aged and ancient paper samples in order to determine in the THz spectra the distinctive features as a possible fingerprint of their state of aging and/or degradation.