Shelley Begley

Application Development Engineer

Agilent Technologies
Electromagnetic Properties of Materials:
Characterization at Microwave Frequencies and Beyond
Definitions
Measurement Techniques
Parallel Plate
Coaxial Probe
Transmission Line and Free-Space
Resonant Cavity
Summary
Agenda
Definitions
Permittivity is a physical quantity that
describes how an electric field affects and is
affected by a dielectric medium and is
determined by the ability of a material to
polarize in response to an applied electric
field, and thereby to cancel, partially, the
field inside the material. Permittivity relates
therefore to a material's ability to transmit
(or "permit") an electric fieldThe
permittivity of a material is usually given
relative to that of vacuum, as a relative
permittivity, (also called dielectric constant
in some cases).- Wikipedia
Dk
Df
'
r
c
"
r
c
Permittivity and Permeability Definitions
interaction of a material in the
presence of an external electric field.
" '
0
r r r
jc c c
c
c
k = = =
Permittivity
(Dielectric Constant)
Permittivity and Permeability Definitions
interaction of a material in the
presence of an external electric field.
" '
0
r r r
jc c c
c
c
k = = =
Permittivity
(Dielectric Constant)
Df
Permittivity and Permeability Definitions
interaction of a material in the
presence of an external electric field.
" '
0
r r r
jc c c
c
c
k = = =
" '
0
r r
j

= =
interaction of a material in the
presence of an external magnetic field.
Permittivity
(Dielectric Constant)
Permeability
Df
Permittivity and Permeability Definitions
interaction of a material in the
presence of an external electric field.
" '
0
r r r
jc c c
c
c
k = = =
" '
0
r r
j

= =
interaction of a material in the
presence of an external magnetic field.
Permittivity
(Dielectric Constant)
Permeability
Df
" '
r r r
j =
" '
r r r
jc c c =
Electromagnetic Field Interaction
Electric Magnetic
Permittivity
Permeability
Fields
Fields
STORAGE
MUT
STORAGE
" '
r r r
j =
" '
r r r
jc c c =
Electromagnetic Field Interaction
Electric Magnetic
Permittivity
Permeability
Fields
Fields
STORAGE
LOSS
MUT
STORAGE
LOSS
Loss Tangent
'
"
tan
r
r
c
c
o =
Cycle per Stored Energy
Cycle per Lost Energy
Q
D = = =
1
tano
Dissipation Factor D Quality Factor Q
r
c
'
r
c
' '
r
c
Df
Relaxation Constant t
t = Time required for 1/e of
an aligned system to return
to equilibrium or random
state, in seconds.
c c
f t e
t
2
1 1
= =
1
1
10
100
10 100
Water at 20
o
C
f, GHz
most energy is lost at 1/t
'
r
c
"
r
c
et
c c
c e c
j
s
+

+ =

1
) ( : equation Debye
Measurement Techniques
Parallel
Plate
Resonant
Cavity
Transmission
Line including
Free Space
Coaxial
Probe
Which Technique is Best?
It Depends
Frequency of interest
Expected value of e
r
Required measurement accuracy
Which Technique is Best?
It Depends on
Frequency of interest
Expected value of e
r
Required measurement accuracy
Material properties (i.e., homogeneous, isotropic)
Form of material (i.e., liquid, powder, solid, sheet)
Sample size restrictions
Which Technique is Best?
It Depends on
Frequency of interest
Expected value of e
r
Required measurement accuracy
Material properties (i.e., homogeneous, isotropic)
Form of material (i.e., liquid, powder, solid, sheet)
Sample size restrictions
Destructive or non-destructive
Contacting or non-contacting
Temperature
Which Technique is Best?
It Depends on
Measurement Techniques
vs. Frequency and Material Loss
Parallel
Plate
Frequency
Loss
Transmission line
Resonant Cavity
Coaxial Probe
Microwave RF Millimeter-wave Low frequency
High
Medium
Low
Free Space
50 MHz 20 GHz
40 GHz 60 GHz 5 GHz 500+ GHz
Measurement Techniques
vs. Frequency and Material Loss
Frequency
Loss
Coaxial Probe
Microwave RF Millimeter-wave Low frequency
High
Medium
Low
50 MHz 20 GHz
40 GHz 60 GHz 5 GHz 500+ GHz
Measurement Techniques
vs. Frequency and Material Loss
Frequency
Loss
Coaxial Probe
Microwave RF Millimeter-wave Low frequency
High
Medium
Low
50 MHz 20 GHz
40 GHz 60 GHz 5 GHz 500+ GHz
Measurement Techniques
vs. Frequency and Material Loss
Frequency
Loss
Transmission line
Coaxial Probe
Microwave RF Millimeter-wave Low frequency
High
Medium
Low
Free Space
50 MHz 20 GHz
40 GHz 60 GHz 5 GHz 500+ GHz
Measurement Techniques
vs. Frequency and Material Loss
Frequency
Loss
Transmission line
Coaxial Probe
Microwave RF Millimeter-wave Low frequency
High
Medium
Low
Free Space
50 MHz 20 GHz
40 GHz 60 GHz 5 GHz 500+ GHz
Measurement Techniques
vs. Frequency and Material Loss
Parallel
Plate
Frequency
Loss
Transmission line
Coaxial Probe
Microwave RF Millimeter-wave Low frequency
High
Medium
Low
Free Space
50 MHz 20 GHz
40 GHz 60 GHz 5 GHz 500+ GHz
Measurement Techniques
vs. Frequency and Material Loss
Parallel
Plate
Frequency
Loss
Transmission line
Resonant Cavity
Coaxial Probe
Microwave RF Millimeter-wave Low frequency
High
Medium
Low
Free Space
50 MHz 20 GHz
40 GHz 60 GHz 5 GHz 500+ GHz
Parallel Plate Capacitor System
t
A
C
r
0
'
c
c =
LCR or Impedance
Analyzer
Dielectric Test Fixture
(magnetic fixture also
available)
D = o tan
t
A
Impedance Analyzers and Fixtures
Measurement Techniques that use a
Vector Network Analyzer
Coaxial Probe
Transmission Line and Free-space
Resonant Cavity
Coaxial Probe System
Network Analyzer
(or E4991A Impedance Analyzer)
85070E
Dielectric Probe
GP-IB or LAN
Computer
(not required for PNA)
85070E Software
(included in kit)
Material assumptions:
effectively infinite thickness
non-magnetic
isotropic
homogeneous
no air gaps or bubbles
Coaxial Probe
11
Reflection
(S )
Three Probe Designs
High Temperature Probe
0.200 20GHz (low end 0.01GHz with impedance analyzer)
Withstands -40 to 200 degrees C
Survives corrosive chemicals
Flanged design allows measuring flat surfaced solids.
Three Probe Designs
Slim Form Probe
0.500 50GHz
Low cost consumable design
Fits in tight spaces, smaller sample sizes
For liquids and soft semi-solids only
Three Probe Designs
Performance Probe
Combines rugged high temperature performance with high
frequency performance, all in one slim design.
0.500 50GHz
Withstands -40 to 200 degrees C
Hermetically sealed on both ends, OK for autoclave
Food grade stainless steel
Transmission Line System
Network Analyzer
GPIB or LAN
Sample holder
connected between coax cables
Computer
(not required for PNA)
85071E Materials
Measurement
Software
Transmission Line
l
Reflection
(S )
11
Transmission
(S )
21
Material assumptions:
sample fills fixture cross section
no air gaps at fixture walls
flat faces, perpendicular to long axis
Known thickness > 20/360
Transmission Line Sample Holders
Waveguide
Coaxial
Transmission Algorithms
(85071E also has three reflection algorithms)
Algorithm Measured S-parameters
Optimum
Length
Output
Nicolson-Ross S11,S21,S12,S22 /4
c
r
and
r
Precision (NIST) S11,S21,S12,S22 n /2 c
r
Fast S21,S12 n /2 c
r
Computer
(not required for PNA)
85071E Materials
Measurement
Software
Transmission Free-Space System
GP-IB or LAN
Network Analyzer
Sample holder
fixtured between two antennae
Transmission Free-Space
Material assumptions:
Flat parallel faced samples
Sample in non-reactive region
Beam spot is contained in sample
Known thickness > 20/360
l
Reflection
(S11 )
Transmission
(S21 )
Non-Contacting method for High or Low Temperature
Tests.
Free Space with Furnace
75-110GHz Free Space System
Free Space 75-110GHz Quasi-Optical System
Agilent
Technical Forum
15 Pa
Free Space 75-110GHz Quasi-Optical System
Free Space 75-110GHz Quasi-Optical System
Free Space 75-110GHz Quasi-Optical System
Free Space 75-110GHz Quasi-Optical System
Reflectivity Measurement System
GP-IB or LAN
Network Analyzer
with Time Domain
option
NRL Arch Fixture with MUT
Computer
(not required for
PNA)
85071E Materials
Measurement
Software
with Reflectivity Option
200
NRL Arch
Incident
Wave
Reflected
Wave
port 1
port 2
MUT
S21
Results in dB
Resonant Cavity System
Resonant Cavity with sample
connected between ports.
Network Analyzer
GP-IB or LAN
Computer
(not required for PNA)
Resonant Cavity
Software
( )
00313 . 0
1 1
4
2.303
2
1
=
|
|
.
|

\
|
=
' '
=

+ =
'
c s s
c
r
s s
s c c
r
Q Q V
V
f V
f f V
c
c
Resonant Cavity Technique
Q
f
s
f
f
c
s
Q
c
empty cavity
sample inserted
fc = Resonant Frequency of Empty Cavity
fs = Resonant Frequency of Filled Cavity
Qc = Q of Empty Cavity
Qs = Q of Filled Cavity
Vs = Volume of Empty Cavity
Vc = Volume of Sample
ASTM 2520
Resonant Cavity Fixtures
Agilent Split Cylinder Resonator IPC
TM-650-2.5.5.5.13
Split Post Dielectric
Resonators from QWED
ASTM 2520 Waveguide
Resonators
Resonant vs. Broadband Transmission
Techniques
Resonant Broadband
Low Loss materials
Yes
e
r
resolution 10
-4
No
e
r
resolution 10
-2
-10
-3
Thin Films and Sheets
Yes
10GHz sample thickness
<1mm
No
10GHz optimum thickness ~
5-10mm
Calibration Required No Yes
Measurement Frequency
Coverage
Single Frequency Broadband or Banded
Summary Technique and Strengths
Parallel Plate
Low Frequency
Best for thin flat sheets
Coaxial Probe
Broadband
Best for liquids, semi-solids
Transmission Line
Broadband
Best for machine-able solids
Transmission Free Space
Broadband, mm-wave
Non-contacting
Resonant Cavity
Single frequency
High accuracy, Best for low
loss, or very thin samples
Microwave Dielectric Measurement
Solutions
Model Number Description
85070E
020
030
050
Dielectric Probe Kit
High Temperature Probe
Slim Form Probe
Performance Probe
85071E
100
200
300
E01
E03
E04
Materials Measurement Software
Free Space Calibration
Reflectivity Software
Resonant Cavity Software
75-110GHz Free Space Fixture
2.5GHz Split Post Dielectric Resonator
5GHz Split Post Dielectric Resonator
85072A 10GHz Split Cylinder Resonant Cavity
For More Information
Visit our website at:
www.agilent.com/find/materials
For Product Overviews, Application Notes, Manuals,
Quick Quotes, international contact information
For More Information
Visit our website at:
www.agilent.com/find/materials
Call our on-line technical support:
+1 800 829-4444
For Product Overviews, Application Notes, Manuals,
Quick Quotes, international contact information
For personal help for your application, formal quotes, to
get in touch with Agilent field engineers in your area.
References
R N Clarke (Ed.), A Guide to the Characterisation of DielectricMaterials at RF and Microwave Frequencies, Published by The
Institute of Measurement & Control (UK) & NPL, 2003
J. Baker-Jarvis, M.D. Janezic, R.F. Riddle, R.T. Johnk, P. Kabos, C. Holloway, R.G. Geyer, C.A. Grosvenor, Measuring the
Permittivity and Permeability of Lossy Materials: Solids, Liquids, Metals, Building Materials, and Negative-Index Materials, NIST
Technical Note 15362005
Test methods for complex permittivity (Dielectric Constant) of solid electrical insulating materials at microwave frequencies and
temperatures to 1650 , ASTM Standard D2520, American Society for Testing and Materials
Janezic M. and Baker-Jarvis J., Full-wave Analysis of a Split-Cylinder Resonator for Nondestructive Permittivity Measurements, IEEE
Transactions on Microwave Theory and Techniques vol. 47, no. 10, Oct 1999, pg. 2014-2020
J. Krupka , A.P. Gregory, O.C. Rochard, R.N. Clarke, B. Riddle, J. Baker-Jarvis, Uncertainty of Complex Permittivity Measurement by
Split-Post Dielectric Resonator Techniques, Journal of the European Ceramic Society
No. 10, 2001, pg. 2673-2676
Basics of Measureing the Dielectric Properties of Materials. Agilent application note. 5989-2589EN, April 28, 2005