A Time-Domain Technique for Measurement of the Dielectric Properties of Biological Substances

A time-domain (transient) method for (broad-band) measurement of the dielectric properties of biological substances is described. Theoretical analysis of the time dependence of the reflection coefficient following application of a step voltage to a shunt capacitor located at the end of a transmission line and filled with a very small amount of the dielectric showing the Debye dispersion is given. Analysis and calculations of the overall uncertainty of permittivity measurements as well as experimental results are presented and limitations of the method discussed.