SMART CLEAN: a new laser system with improved emission characteristics and transmission through long optical fibres

Abstract SMART CLEAN is an innovative Nd:YAG laser system that has been designed to optimize laser cleaning procedures, especially for the treatment of altered stone surfaces. The project, originated by the co-operation of researchers and enterprises involved in optoelectronics system development, was aimed at improving the intrinsic features of the laser source, as well as some practical aspects, in order to facilitate laser application in the restoration yard. Emission characteristics were suitably tailored to obtain effective removal of alteration layers, and to minimize possible side effects. In particular, the pulse duration of the SMART CLEAN laser was set at 20 μs, by means of a proprietary design of the power supply. This was in order to reduce the risk of both mechanical and thermal damage to the artwork substrate, which is more likely to occur with short and long laser pulses, respectively. Moreover, this pulse duration permitted a reliable transmission of high laser energy through long optical fibres (50 m), which allowed easy cleaning operations on facades. The laser system was tested on a large variety of lithotypes and in operative cleaning interventions on Italian monuments.