Accurate RF performance of thermoplastics at sub-millimetre wave frequencies

In this paper, the accurate dielectric proprieties of several thermoplastics are presented. In addition, the major error contributors are discussed and the impact these have in the extraction of the most relevant parameters such us refractive index, dielectric constant and loss factor are evaluated. Measurements of PTFE and PS between 50 and 500 GHz and their extracted material parameters including the error estimation are presented. These measurements were performed using the quasi-optical based free space material characterization system of the European Space Agency, ESA/ESTEC, in the Netherlands.