Concept for a highly miniaturized endoscopic point distance sensor

Abstract

Increasing miniaturization requires improved and highly miniaturized optical 3D metrology systems. In this paper a basic measurement principle and a proposed optical design of a highly miniaturized endoscopic spatial confocal point distance sensor are presented. The sensor uses a, to our knowledge new technique called spatial confocal point distance measurement. A special feature of the proposed sensor design is the high degree of miniaturization, through femtosecond direct laser writing and the use of optical fiber bundles, which enable an endoscopic application.