Terahertz time domain spectroscopy for the analysis of cultural heritage related materials

A powerful broadband femtosecond laser-driven terahertz source was built and used to analyze cultural heritage and art-related materials in the terahertz region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The high signal-to-noise ratio available in our system revealed details in the absorption spectra which are inaccessible with traditional FTIR spectrometers. Clear spectral signatures were recorded from organic binding media thus demonstrating the potential of the approach for applications in the monitoring and analysis of cultural heritage materials.