Improved technique for determining complex permittivity with the transmission/reflection method

The transmission/reflection method for complex permittivity and permeability determination is studied. The special case of permittivity measurement is examined in detail. Robust algorithms for permittivity determination that eliminate the ill-behaved nature of the commonly used procedures at frequencies corresponding to integer multiples of one-half wavelength in the sample are presented. An error analysis yielding estimates of the errors incurred due to the uncertainty in scattering parameters, length measurement, and reference plane position is presented. Equations for determining complex permittivity independent from reference plane position and sample length are derived.<>