Automated Phasor Segmentation of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Data for Discriminating Pigments and Binders Used in Artworks

Year: 2022

Authors: Mattana S.; Dal Fovo A.; Lagarto J.L.; Bossuto M.C.; Shcheslavskiy V.; Fontana R.; Cicchi R.

Autors Affiliation: Natl Inst Opt Natl Res Council CNR INO, Largo E Fermi 6, I-50125 Florence, Italy; Champalimaud Fdn, Biophoton Platform, Champalimaud Clin Ctr, Ave Brasilia, P-1400038 Lisbon, Portugal; Univ Florence, Dept Phys, Via G Sansone 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Becker & Hickl GmbH, Nunsdorfer Ring 7-9, D-12277 Berlin, Germany; Privolzhskiy Res Med Univ, Nizhnii Novgorod 603005, Russia; European Lab Nonlinear Spect LENS, Via Nello Carrara 1, I-50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

Abstract: The non-invasive analysis of fluorescence from binders and pigments employed in mixtures in artworks is a major challenge in cultural heritage science due to the broad overlapping emission of different fluorescent species causing difficulties in the data interpretation. To improve the specificity of fluorescence measurements, we went beyond steady-state fluorescence measurements by resolving the fluorescence decay dynamics of the emitting species through time-resolved fluorescence imaging (TRFI). In particular, we acquired the fluorescence decay features of different pigments and binders using a portable and compact fibre-based imaging setup. Fluorescence time-resolved data were analysed using the phasor method followed by a Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to automatically identify the populations of fluorescent species within the fluorescence decay maps. Our results demonstrate that this approach allows distinguishing different binders when mixed with the same pigment as well as discriminating different pigments dispersed in a common binder. The results obtained could establish a framework for the analysis of a broader range of pigments and binders to be then extended to several other materials used in art production. The obtained results, together with the compactness and portability of the instrument, pave the way for future in situ applications of the technology on paintings.

Journal/Review: MOLECULES

Volume: 27 (5)      Pages from: 1475-1  to: 1475-11

KeyWords: time-resolved fluorescence imaging, fluorescence lifetime imaging, TCSPC, phasor analysis, Gaussian mixture model, binders, cultural heritage
DOI: 10.3390/molecules27051475

Citations: 7
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