Measurement of dissipation factor and dielectric constant of materials at very high frequencies by use of resonant circuits

The Boonton Model 160-A Q Meter is an example of a convenient and rapid instrument, incorporating a resonant circuit that is widely used to measure materials. At frequencies up to about 20 megacycles, errors due to frequency effects are small and can generally be disregarded. However, above this frequency, the stray resistances and inductances in the Q Meter may cause serious errors. The more important of these strays and their approximate values are shown in the attached diagram. The effect of these strays is shown below.