Use of time domain spectroscopy for measuring dielectric properties with a coaxial probe

A coaxial probe is used in conjunction with a computerised time domain spectrometer (TDS) for dielectric measurements on liquid and solid samples in the frequency range 1 MHz to 10 GHz. In comparison with in-guide methods the technique greatly simplifies the sample handling procedure and enables measurements on tissue to be made in vivo. Measurements on formamide are used to evaluate the performance of the system. Dielectric data on human skin in vivo are also presented.