Combined TPEF and SHG Imaging for the Microstructural Characterization of Different Wood Species Used in Artworks

Year: 2022

Authors: Dal Fovo A., Mattana S., Marchetti M., Anichini M., Giovannelli A., Baria E., Fontana R., Cicchi R.

Autors Affiliation: National Research Council, National Institute of Optics (CNR-INO), Largo E. Fermi 6, 50125 Firenze, Italy; Department of Physics, University of Florence, Via G. Sansone 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), Via N. Carrara 1, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; National Research Council, Institute of BioEconomy (CNR-IBE), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; National Research Council, Research Institute on Terrestrial Ecosystems (CNR-IRET), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Abstract: The morphological and chemical conformation of wood microstructures is characteristic of individual species and strongly influences the macromechanical properties of the material, as well as its sensitivity to deterioration factors. Noninvasive techniques enabling the visualization of wood microstructures, while simultaneously providing compositional information, can significantly facilitate the analysis of wooden artworks for conservation purposes. In this paper, we present the application of combined two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) and second-harmonic generation (SHG) imaging as a versatile diagnostic tool for the microcharacterization of three hardwood species never analyzed by this method. Multimodal mapping of the molecular constituents based on the detected nonlinear signals provides useful information for studying the biological and biochemical deterioration of wood, opening a new field of application for a well-established and widely used imaging technology.

Journal/Review: PHOTONICS

Volume: 9 (3)      Pages from: 170  to:

More Information: This research was funded by Regione Toscana (POR FSE 2014-2020, “Giovanisi”, Intervention Program “CNR4C”, CUP B15J19001040004) and the European H2020 CH Project (Integrated Platform for the European Research Infrastructure ON Cultural Heritage (GA 654028, WP6).
KeyWords: second-harmonic generation, two-photon excited fluorescence, wood microstructure, cellulose, lignin, starch
DOI: 10.3390/photonics9030170