A broadband free-space dielectric properties measurement system at millimeter wavelengths

A free-space system operating in the 75 GHz to 95 GHz range for measurement of the complex permittivity of matter is presented. The complex transmission coefficient of a parallel polarized quasiplane wave through a planar sample is determined for different incidence angles. The quasiplane wave is realized by a collimated Gaussian beam. The complex permittivity is subsequently calculated from the measured data by applying a nonlinear least-squares method. Errors induced by multiple reflections between the transmitting and receiving horn antennas are removed by a time-domain gating technique. The design of the quasioptical measurement setup is based on Gaussian beam optics. A dielectric lens collimates the beam of the transmitting horn antenna for minimization of diffraction effects at the edges of the sample. In order to verify the Gaussian beam and thin lens approximations at millimeter wavelengths, the far-field pattern of the horn antenna and the dielectric lens system has been measured. The performance of the measurement setup has been tested using glass samples.