Breakthrough laser technology by Hong Kong researchers makes art authentication at least 100 times more sensitive
Baptist University team to work with The Louvre to help separate genuine from counterfeit works at Paris museum
A team at Baptist University has developed a laser technique capable of discerning authentic art works from fake ones without causing visible damage that is at least 100 times more sensitive than current practices.
According to the team, the new platform improves on traditional authentication methods by delivering a laser pulse onto the artwork and vaporising only one nanogram of the material, which is said to be almost invisible even when examined under a microscope.
Professor Cheung Nai-ho, lead inventor of the technology, said conventional laser microprobes cause visible and irreversible damage of valuable art works as they remove micrograms of the materials.
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Cheung said the team already set up a company to help local and overseas museums, art institutions and private collectors in analysing paintings, ceramics and frescoes.
Noting that mainland China is a growing art market, Cheung said there was a “huge need” for
authentication. “Unfortunately 80 per cent of the artworks are fakes,” he said.
This prompted the team to focus on analysing Chinese artworks, including black inks and cinnabars on xuan paper and traditional teaware.