Analytical studies of polychromes by time-integrated laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Time integrated Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy was applied to the stu dy of real samples of polychromes. Two samples respectively from the Spanis h Baroque and from the XV century were analysed. The time integrated spectr a showed negligible contribution of continuum background emission. The spec tra of the Baroque sample indicated the presence of vermilion; this was con firmed by Near Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy. LIES spectra of the XV century sample showed Ca, Al, Mg, Na and Pb lines and the molecular emi ssions CN(B-X) and C-2(d-a). Relative spectral intensities were measured as a function of the number of laser pulses delivered on the same position of the sample. The LIES analysis was compared to an exhaustive analytical stu dy.