Applicability of the Meniscus-Removal Method for Q-Band Liquid Characterization in Semi-Open Waveguide Cell

Abstract

We present the broadband transmission-reflection meniscus-removal method for liquid characterization in a semi-open rectangular waveguide. The algorithm utilizes 2-port scattering parameters measured with a calibrated vector network analyzer for three states of the measurement cell: empty and filled with two liquid levels. The method enables the mathematical de-embedding of a symmetrical sample of a liquid, not distorted with a meniscus, and provision of its permittivity and permeability, as well as its height. We validate the method for propan-2-ol (IPA), a 50% aqueous solution of IPA, and distilled water in the Q-band (33–50 GHz). We investigate typical problems for in-waveguide measurements, such as phase ambiguity.

Keywords

• complex permittivity
• microwave measurements
• vector network analyzer
• scattering parameters
• WR-22
• phase ambiguity