Measuring the refractive index of foam materials with very low reflection coefficients at millimeter wavelengths

Peter R. Smith; James C. Weatherall; Jeffrey Barber

doi:10.1117/12.3013529

7 June 2024 Measuring the refractive index of foam materials with very low reflection coefficients at millimeter wavelengths

Peter R. Smith, James C. Weatherall, Jeffrey Barber

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 13048, Radar Sensor Technology XXVIII; 130480U (2024) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3013529
Event: SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, 2024, National Harbor, Maryland, United States

Abstract

Structural materials that are virtually invisible during millimeter-wave imaging are needed for applications in testing Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) screening systems, for example by supporting image-quality test objects. Laboratory measurement of the electrical permittivity of candidate materials at the frequency of the imaging system can appraise their suitability as very low-reflective materials, but measurement is challenging because the ideal material has a real component of permittivity near unity and nearly zero propagation loss. A method is described based on temporal features in wave packet propagation using dual calibrations for front and back interfaces. Measurements of different foam materials are demonstrated.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Peter R. Smith, James C. Weatherall, and Jeffrey Barber "Measuring the refractive index of foam materials with very low reflection coefficients at millimeter wavelengths", Proc. SPIE 13048, Radar Sensor Technology XXVIII, 130480U (7 June 2024); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3013529

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