IRIS: a novel spectral imaging system for the analysis of cultural heritage objects

A new portable spectral imaging system is herein presented capable of acquiring images of high resolution (2MPixels) ranging from 380 nm up to 950 nm. The system consists of a digital color CCD camera, 15 interference filters covering all the sensitivity range of the detector and a robust filter changing system. The acquisition software has been developed in "LabView" programming language allowing easy handling and modification by end-users. The system has been tested and evaluated on a series of objects of Cultural Heritage (CH) value including paintings, encrusted stonework, ceramics etc. This paper aims to present the system, as well as, its application and advantages in the analysis of artworks with emphasis on the detailed compositional and structural information of layered surfaces based on reflection & fluorescence spectroscopy. Specific examples will be presented and discussed on the basis of system improvements.