Microwave Materials Dielectric Measurements

ABSTRACTTexas Instruments Defense Systems and Electronics Group develops radars, missile systems, infra-red systems and electronic systems for the Defense Department. Materials having special microwave properties are needed for radar systems, missile systems that home on microwave emissions, microwave emitter locator systems, and jamming systems. The microwave materials appear in the form of antennas, lenses, radomes, windows, dielectric loading materials, potting materials, dielectric transmission lines, microwave absorbing materials, adhesives, sealants, coatings, and foams. Naturally, the complex permittivity and permeability of these materials need to be known to enhance their application and control their properties in manufacturing. Texas Instruments has a microwave materials test laboratory that includes permittivity and permeability measurements as well as physical and thermal properties. The samples come in many different forms, measurement at different frequencies are needed and the electrical properties cover a wide span (conductors to dielectrics and foams to ferrites). For this reason, many different methods of dielectric and magnetic measurement are used. These various methods will be discussed below.