Scanning terahertz probe

A method of examining a surgical opening comprising

• inserting a first portion of a probe into said surgical opening in a first direction,
• directing THz radiation emitted from at least one emitter through an elongate solid dielectric member, the elongate direction of the elongate solid member being parallel to the first direction, the elongate solid dielectric member comprising a plane surface reflective to THz radiation angled to the first direction, the refractive index of the solid dielectric member and the plane surface being configured such that THz radiation emitted by the emitter undergoes reflection at the plane surface and is directed towards the sidewall of said opening via an aperture in said first portion,
• directing THz radiation returned from said sidewall to at least one THz detector and,
• scanning said emitted THz radiation across said sidewall in said first direction by scanning of the THz beam across the plane surface.

A method of analyzing an object comprising

• inserting a first portion of a probe into an opening in a first direction,
• directing THz radiation emitted from at least one emitter through an elongate solid dielectric member, the elongate direction of the elongate solid member being parallel to the first direction, the elongate solid dielectric member comprising a plane surface reflective to THz radiation angled to the first direction, the refractive index of the solid dielectric member and the plane surface being configured such that THz radiation emitted by the emitter undergoes reflection at the plane surface and is directed towards said object via an aperture in said first portion,
• directing THz radiation returned from said object to at least one THz detector and,
• scanning said emitted THz radiation across said object in said first direction by scanning of the THz beam across the plane surface.