Millimeter-Wave Thermoelectric Power Transfer Standard

This paper describes a thermoelectric waveguide power sensor for the frequency range 75-110 GHz, which has been calibrated in a waveguide twin-type microcalorimeter. The sensor is suitable as a transfer standard to provide traceablity for high-frequency power calibrations. The design and calibration of the sensor are described. The calibration is based upon a novel measuring quantity, referred to as generalized efficiency. The results of mirocalorimeter measurements and sensor performance are given. The new transfer sensor is tested against conventional thermistor waveguide sensors in a direct comparison setup, showing good agreement within the estimated uncertainties.