Attenuation measurement of very low loss dielectric waveguides by the cavity resonator method applicable in the millimeter/submillimeter wavelength range

A dielectric waveguide shorted at both ends was constructed as a cavity resonator. By measuring the Q of this cavity, one can determine the attenuation constant of this guided mode on this dielectric structure. The complex permittivity of the dielectric waveguide material can also be derived from the measurements. Measurements were made at Ka-band for dielectric waveguides constructed of nonpolar, low-loss polymers, such as Teflon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and rexolite.< >