From Ptolemaic to modern inked linen via Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

Abstract

Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) has been applied to inked linen textile that belongs to a mummy's linen wrapping dated back to the Ptolemaic period (330 BC: 30 AD). The rarity of the ancient archeological piece introduced in this study has suggested the use of a model sample of currently manufactured linen for comparison purposes and optimization of the experimental conditions. The Nd:YAG laser operating at both wavelengths 532 and 1064 nm as our excitation source along with an Echelle spectrometer with an intensified charge-coupled device detector has been employed. Under the experimental conditions adopted throughout this work, the use of the visible 532 nm laser produced poorer S/B when compared to that produced by a 1064 nm laser which suggests the production of colder plasma leading to less atomization of the ablated material. Additionally, the 532 nm wavelength shows a negative behavior in ablating ink writings which was visually clear. Although, LIBS qualitative results are so comparable to that of SEM-EDX, some elements were detected only by LIBS which could be attributed to the irregularity of ink on linen. Thus, the capabilities of LIBS should be extensively exploited to the in situ measurements and analysis of archeological ink and fabrics.