Hyperspectral imaging system

• Subject Area: Art History, Music, Theatre and Media Studies
• Term: Funded in 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 450461305

The aim of our new interdisciplinary research group at the Chair of Conservation-Restoration, Art Technology and Conservation Science at the Technical University of Munich is the introduction and use of cutting-edge technologies in the analysis of Cultural heritage. More precisely, we will work on the optimization and application of new non-destructive, mobile, versatile and complementary analytical devices in order to enable the completely non-invasive material characterization, documentation and monitoring of architectural surfaces and works of art directly on site.Our motivation is that despite the wide variety of analytical tools the simultaneous acquisition of mappings of organic and inorganic compounds across a surface/artwork is not possible and thus, their spatial distribution still remains unknown and is source of many questions. Hyperspectral infrared imaging is a technology that has the potential to solve this problem by the combination of high-definition images and chemical mappings. Due to this quality, Hyperspectral Imaging is a promising analytical tool for the characterization of artworks/architectural surfaces.Therefore, the aim of our research is the application of a Hyperspectral reflectance imaging system with enlarged spectral range from 400 to 2500 nm (visible – near-infrared – short-wave infrared) for the in-situ material characterization, documentation and mapping of artworks and architectural surfaces.The innovative approach of our research is the use of two sensors that allow covering a larger part of the electromagnetic spectrum. The information that we can obtain with the two cameras is complementary and therefore permits a more accurate discrimination of the features of complex material matrices.In the visible range (400-750 nm) the signal mainly originates from electronic transitions typical of inorganic compounds, as well as absorption processes characteristic of organic colorants. The signal in the Near-Infrared/Short-wave infrared region (750-2500 nm), on the other hand, shows vibrational features mostly characteristic of organic compounds. The range between 1000 and 2500 nm of the second camera is essential to reach inner layers and record images of hidden features of the artworks as the radiation is able to penetrate the upper paint layers.In a further step, we plan to even improve the analytical capabilities of the system by combining the molecular mappings (Hyperspectral reflectance) with elemental mappings (macro X-ray fluorescence) and high-resolution images (3D microscope) and use data-fusion algorithms to link the complementary information from the different sources to give deeper insight into the physical and chemical properties of the objects.This proposal is the first step towards the creation of a new core facility - the insiTUMlab - that will be specialized in the non-invasive characterization of the materials used in art/architecture in the past and the investigation of their degradation paths.

• DFG Programme: Major Research Instrumentation
• Major Instrumentation: Hyperspektrales Bildgebungssystem
• Instrumentation Group: 5450 Photographische Spezialkameras (Luftbild-, Registrier-, Stereo-, außer
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität München (TUM)
• Leader: Professor Dr. Thomas Danzl