2D and 3D non-destructive evaluation of a wooden panel painting using shearography and terahertz imaging

Structural diagnostics information about artwork is commonly obtained by adapting and applying non-destructive testing techniques from engineering. Shearography is a technique well known for type inspection, and for structural analysis in automotive, aerospace and industrial applications. In art conservation, a limited number of shearography sensors are in use at museums and research institutes throughout the world for detecting surface and sub-surface defects. Terahertz imaging is a new and rapidly developing non-destructive testing technique that has so far found application mainly for security. The aim of this study is to measure a complex object, a wooden panel painting using both techniques and to determine the capability of a combined sensor for cultural heritage applications.