Hyperspectral imaging of cultural heritage: from micro- to remote scale using a single device

Hyperspectral imaging is a key non-invasive technique for analyzing artworks in cultural heritage. Various instruments are available, each with different optical methods and spectral ranges. HERA hyperspectral camera (NIREOS SRL, Milan, Italy) offers a unique approach, using an interferometer and Fourier Transform instead of traditional dispersive elements or filters. This method provides advantages like higher throughput, enhanced sensitivity, better signal-to-noise ratio, greater stability, and no need for recalibration. HERA has already been applied to large-scale paintings and artifacts. In this study, we present applications across different spatial scales, from microscopy to macro imaging, using the same camera with various optical systems. We demonstrate HERA's flexibility, showing results from paintings, manuscripts, and micro-sections of artworks, with a comparative analysis to other elemental and molecular techniques.