Shielded open-circuited sample holder for dielectric measurements of solids and liquids

This paper presents a technique for permittivity measurements that can be used for either liquids or solid coaxial samples from near de to gigahertz frequencies. The method uses both a full-mode model of a coaxial open-circuited termination and a capacitive method for permittivity determination. The method requires the use of an impedance bridge and a network analyzer. Measurements indicate good accuracy for the permittivity over a very wide band of frequencies. For high permittivity materials the sample surfaces must be metalized. An uncertainty analysis is also presented.