Biogenic surface layers on historical window glass and the effect of excimer laser cleaning

The ablation of biofilms by excimer laser radiation was systematically examined in a series of model studies during which the biofilms originating from different historical panels were simulated on model glasses. The composition of these model glasses was modelled on that of the original historical glasses. Our studies have shown that glass composition, climatic conditions and biofilm formation are factors which interact synergetically. It could be observed that various biofilms grow differently on the same type of model glass and that the same type of biofilm shows a different development on various model glasses. The decisive factors for the effectiveness of biofilm ablation by laser irradiation is the formation of the biofilm on the one hand and its corrosive potential on account of its ability to accumulate moisture and to produce glass-damaging metabolites on the other. Glasses of low chemical stability promote the growth of dense biofilms and can be cleaned only with a high energy density, whereas glasses of high chemical stability merely allow for a slow growth of a biofilm spreading two-dimensionally on the glass surface which can be gently removed using low energy density. (C) 2000 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS