Automatic measurement of complex dielectric constant and permeability at microwave frequencies

With the advent of the computer and automatic test equipment, new techniques for measuring complex dielectric constant (ε) and permeability (µ) can be considered. Such a technique is described where a system is employed that automatically measures the complex reflection and transmission coefficients that result when a sample of material is inserted in waveguide or a TEM transmission line. Measurement results of ε and µ for two common materials are presented.