Abstract This article highlights the uniqueness and potential of the long pulse Er:YAG laser in the conservation of artworks. Laser sources and operating parameters are summarised in terms of controlling, optimising and confining a material's near-surface interaction with laser irradiation. When present, O–H bonds in materials are very strongly absorbing at 2940nm, the emission wavelength of the Er:YAG laser, and the thermal diffusion depth during the laser pulse is often shallow and underlying material is little affected. Laser exposure can therefore produce beneficial thermally-induced photo-disruption at the surfaces of media that contain O–H bonds, such as aged natural resin varnishes, biological growth and adhesives. If an unwanted superficial layer lacks sufficient O–H content, it can be pre-wetted with solvent to increase absorption of the laser radiation. Laser exposure of unwanted surface material is described in conjunction with conventional methods of solvent cleaning and parameters for reducing the risk of alteration and solubilisation of underlying materials are given. A synopsis of each of the research articles included in this special issue of the Journal concludes this contribution.

中文翻译：

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简介：Er：YAG激光在艺术品保护中的应用

摘要本文着重介绍了长脉冲Er：YAG激光在艺术品保存中的独特性和潜力。从控制，优化和限制材料与激光辐照的近表面相互作用的角度总结了激光源和操作参数。当存在时，材料中的O–H键在2940nm处具有很强的吸收能力，Er：YAG激光器的发射波长和激光脉冲过程中的热扩散深度通常很浅，对下面的材料几乎没有影响。因此，激光曝光可以在包含O–H键的介质表面（例如老化的天然树脂清漆，生物生长和粘合剂）上产生有益的热诱导光致破裂。如果不需要的表层缺乏足够的OH含量，它可以用溶剂预先润湿以增加激光辐射的吸收。结合常规的溶剂清洁方法描述了不需要的表面材料的激光曝光，并给出了降低底层材料发生改变和溶解的风险的参数。本期《期刊》特刊中包含的每篇研究文章的摘要总结了这一贡献。