Ixian Probe

An Ixian Probe is a fictional device in the "Dune" universe, first mentioned in "Heretics of Dune". It was used in the Old Empire to capture the thoughts of a person; living or dead; for analysis. It is usually considered to be an interrogation device.

Usage

The probe is attached through the body through a series of electrodes placed around the skull and on major nerve centers. It is controlled by a 'computer' and this 'computer' is controlled by an operator who can increase or decrease the power supplied to the probe to maximize the efficacy of the probe while at the same time not overloading the nervous system of the subject. The probe works by stimulating the persons brain in different areas, and then reading the responses in terms of electrical signals. In this way, it builds a 'digital' framework of the person. This framework can be subjected to stimuli, and will respond as the person would.

Response

To prevent the probe's function, a drug called shere has been invented or discovered. The effect of the drug — while the subject is living — is to disallow the body's response to the probe (by means unknown). Also, upon the death of the subject, the drug causes an almost immediate deterioriation of the cells in the nervous system. This has the effect of suppressing the probe's ability to read thoughts even after death.