General information

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), originally developed for biomedical applications, is an interferometric imaging technique that generates high-resolution cross-sectional images of scattering or semi-transparent materials. It employs a light source in the visible or near-infrared spectral range, where the wavelength determines the depth resolution. In Heritage Science, OCT is particularly effective for non-invasive depth profiling of paint layers, offering invaluable insights during restoration processes. This technique is useful for monitoring and documenting micrometric thickness variations in material layers during interventions such as cleaning, which involves the selective removal of deteriorated components like varnishes, oxalates, or overpaints from painted surfaces.