Sub-millimetre wave material characterization

In this paper the material characterization at sub-millimetre wave frequencies facility recently developed at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESA-ESTEC) to complement existing antenna ranges is presented. By means of a Quasi Optical test bench, transmission/reflection measurements from 50 to 500 GHz are performed. Complex material parameters are then calculated from transmission measurements. As a first experimental campaign and in support to industry the transmission properties of several energetic materials (C4, RDX, TNT, PETN and Semtex-H) and barrier materials have been measured and material parameters extracted.