An optical probe consists of a first component made of a first optical
material having a light transmission property in the far ultraviolet
region, and a second component made of a second optical material arranged
in contact with the surface of the first component. For example, the
second optical material has a higher refractive index in the far
ultraviolet region than the first optical material. The second component
is provided, on a side in contact with a sample, with a surface totally
reflecting light having incident angle equal to or larger than the
critical angle. Alternatively, an optical probe has an optical material
having a light transmission property in the far ultraviolet region,
having a surface totally reflecting a ray of light of incident angle
equal to or larger than the critical angle, at a side in contact with a
sample, and the refractive index is higher near the surface than at the
other parts in the far ultraviolet region. Consequently, a spectroscopic
measurement becomes possible on very small solute components dissolved
into water or the like in the far ultraviolet region.