Measuring the material parameters with a vector network analyzer (VNA) usually requires time-domain gating and complicated free-space calibrations. At terahertz frequencies, classic calibrations become more problematic and uncertainty calculation for time gating is not clearly defined. The here investigated method skips these steps and is based on normalization to a “Thru” connection and analyzing error terms and multiple-reflection phenomena (ripples). It is shown that at specific frequencies, the ripples are very small. Based on this, the “standard load” method is introduced, which simplifies the error correction for transmission and reflection measurements for the whole frequency range. Results are presented in 75-110- and 500-750-GHz bands with a quasi-TEM free-space setup. Various material slabs (thin, thick, lossy, and low-loss) have been tested to show the reliability and general usefulness of the method. This method that is initially based on a “Thru” connection only provides a simple and low-cost alternative to the conventional standards (Line, Match, Short, and so on) and calibration techniques.

This paper describes a new 50-Ω primary reference standard for coaxial line impedance measurements from dc to 100 MHz. The standard can be used to calibrate vector network analyzers (VNAs) with type N connectors (7 mm). Fabrication, 3-D electromagnetic simulations, and the characterization of the standard are described. The standard consists of a precision coaxial air line terminated by a 50-Ω resistive load and a shielded open circuit. This device can be considered as a primary reference standard since its input reflection coefficient Γ is traceable via dimensional and dc electrical measurements to the International System of Units. Comparison of measurement results and uncertainties obtained with a commercial 50-Ω load, an air line standard, and the primary 50-Ω load is shown.

This article reports on an extensive interlaboratory comparison of measurements of material properties between 2 GHz and 1 THz using both vector network analyzer (VNA)-based and optical-based methods. For the former, techniques including open resonators, conventional free-space quasioptical systems, and a relatively new guided free-space approach through use of material characterization kits (MCKs) were utilized. The optical-based methods included both time-domain spectroscopy (TDS) and frequency-domain spectroscopy (FDS). Measurement setups for these five techniques located at five well-established laboratories have been employed in the measurements of seven types of commonly used dielectric materials. The results of the measurements by the participating laboratories using each of these techniques were compared to assess levels of agreement between the utilized techniques and thereby establish confidence in the characterizations of each material. Measurement results of these seven materials are presented, together with detailed discussion. This is the first time that an interlaboratory measurement comparison of material properties has been conducted over nearly three decades of frequency and involving such a range of techniques. This work should prove beneficial to applications where material properties need to be known accurately in the microwave to terahertz region.

Human exposure to mobile devices is traditionally measured by a system in which the human body (or head) is modelled by a phantom and the energy absorbed from the device is estimated based on the electric fields measured with a single probe. Such a system suffers from low efficiency due to repeated volumetric scanning within the phantom needed to capture the absorbed energy throughout the volume. To speed up the measurement, fast SAR (specific absorption rate) measuring systems have been developed. However, discrepancies of measured results are observed between traditional and fast measuring systems. In this paper, the discrepancies in terms of post-processing procedures after the measurement of electric field (or its amplitude) are investigated. Here, the concerned fast measuring system estimates SAR based on the reconstructed field of the region of interest while the amplitude and phase of the electric field are measured on a single plane with a probe array. The numerical results presented indicate that the fast SAR measuring system has the potential to yield more accurate estimations than the traditional system, but no conclusion can be made on which kind of system is superior without knowledge of the field-reconstruction algorithms and the emitting source.

We report on the development of a method for measuring the permittivity and conductivity of fluids inside a sealed tank (or a pipe) by using an embedded coaxial probe. Permittivity and conductivity in the frequency range 600 MHz to 6 GHz are determined from measurements of a complex reflection coefficient by using a vector network analyser (VNA) that is connected to the embedded probe via a coaxial cable. Substitution methods for calibration of an inaccessible probe are studied in this paper. These require the VNA with attached cable to be calibrated prior to connecting the cable to the embedded coaxial probe. Measurement of permittivity and conductivity of fluids inside sealed tanks and pipes is needed for monitoring industrial processes, such as fermentation. The authors’ requirement, however, was to allow monitoring of a tissue-equivalent liquid that is contained inside a sealed tank. This tank is a component of a commercial system for rapid, multiple-band measurement of the specific absorption rate (SAR) of mobile phone handsets. Monitoring of permittivity and conductivity is needed to ensure compliance with international standards for SAR measurement. The paper also presents data for a new broadband (600 MHz to 6 GHz) tissue-equivalent liquid that is based on an oil-in-water emulsion. It is demonstrated that over an extended period of time, the liquid is stable, and an embedded coaxial probe enables its properties to be monitored with the required accuracy.

The radio frequency (RF) bolometer thermistor has been studied over a wide frequency range. A novel equivalent electrical model is presented to show the nonlinear behavior of the bolometer thermistor for different polarization direct currents. This model has been used as the “detecting section” of a bolometer mount (thermistor RF sensor), and its “efficiency η” has been evaluated by the simple and quick “3-Γ, i.e., impedance method.” The experimental results show good agreement with the theoretical model. Using this model, together with the “impedance method,” can reduce the calibration time/cost of the bolometer mount for wide frequency ranges.