Abstract

We will discuss two sensors, and some underlying principles of signal formation. “Coherence radar”, an optical 3d-sensor based on short coherence interferometry, measures skin surface topology. The sensor may be a useful tool for medical diagnosis in dermatology as it sensitively displays alterations of the skin surface. The measuring uncertainty is limited only by the surface roughness, and is less than 2 µm. The measuring time is about 4 s. In vivo 3d mapping of naked skin was performed without preparation.

© 1999 Optical Society of America