Method of and apparatus for inspecting and/or positioning objects with wave energy using wave guides

A system for achieving inspecting and/or positioning of an object that includes: an array that is operable to generate acoustic or low-frequency electromagnetic wave energy of a single or narrow band or frequencies, to transmit the wave energy to an interaction region where it interacts with the object and to transmit the wave energy, after interaction, to sensing means, sensors of the array being disposed to receive the wave energy and being operable to convert the wave energy to electric signals representative of the received wave energy; a processor connected to receive the electric signal and adapter to process the signals into amplitude and/or phase information for each sensor; and an analyzer to interpret the amplitude and/or phase information to derive therefrom a characteristic of the object, e.g., a geometric characteristic or an electromagnetic characteristic.