38 Fourier transform interferometric imaging spectrometry: a new tool for the study of reflectance and fluorescence of polychrome surfaces

To date, the study of fluorescence images of polychrome surfaces has not proceeded beyond more than a stage that supplies visual information. The recent availability of spectral imaging systems for providing multi-pixel spectral information has led to the development of non-destructive methodologies suitable for readily acquiring and analysing both reflectance and fluorescence spectral images. The spectral information obtained from a specific area is stored as a cube, which is defined by the two spatial dimensions of the surface (x and y), and by the spectrum of the reflected or emitted light as the third dimension. In the present work, a Fourier transform interferometric imaging system (FTIIS) was applied to the study and characterisation of the reflectance and fluorescence spectra of several pigments and dyes. In addition, a comparison between the fluorescence images acquired with the FTIIS and the traditional fluorescence photographs has been provided.