An Open-Resonator Sensor for Measuring the Dielectric Properties of Antarctic Ice

In this paper, the theory behind the design of a microwave sensor for the accurate measurement of firn complex permittivity is presented. This class of microwave sensors, based on the open-coaxial re-entrant cavity method, is specifically designed to measure, by means of a simple and quick procedure...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sensors
Main Authors: Roberto Olmi, Saverio Priori, Alberto Toccafondi, Federico Puggelli
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3390/s19092099
Description
Summary:In this paper, the theory behind the design of a microwave sensor for the accurate measurement of firn complex permittivity is presented. This class of microwave sensors, based on the open-coaxial re-entrant cavity method, is specifically designed to measure, by means of a simple and quick procedure, the complex permittivity profile of low loss materials. A calibration procedure is introduced to derive the complex permittivity of the material under measurement (MUM). Two specimens of this class of microwave sensors have been realized to sample the complex permittivity profile of a 106-m long ice core drilled from the Antarctic plateau at Concordia Station. The preliminary results of the on site measurement campaign are reported, showing very good agreement with theoretical models available in the literature.