When your material, frequency, or operating condition falls outside our standard waveguide and resonator services, we build the measurement around it, from ultra-low frequencies to extreme temperatures, and from magnetics to liquids. Accuracy and turnaround are quoted per job.
20 Hz – 50 GHz
Dielectric (roadmap)
To 200 °C
Temperature reach
1 kHz – 1 GHz
Magnetic (μr)
To 170 GHz
On the roadmap
Rentable and on-request setups
Keysight N1501A dielectric probe kit
Open-ended coaxial probe for solids and liquids. The high-temperature probe covers 200 MHz – 20 GHz up to 200 °C; other probes in the kit reach 50 GHz.
Keysight 16453A parallel plate
Complex permittivity of smooth solid sheets, 1 MHz – 1 GHz. Thickness 0.3 – 3 mm, diameter ≥ 15 mm; a flexible electrode self-adjusts to the sample.
Keysight 16451B parallel plate
Dk and dissipation factor of solid dielectrics, 20 Hz – 30 MHz, per ASTM D150. Thickness ≤ 10 mm, diameter 10 – 56 mm.
Keysight 16454A magnetic fixture
Complex permeability (μr) of toroidal magnetic materials, 1 kHz – 1 GHz. Toroid OD ≤ 20 mm, ID ≥ 3.1 mm, height ≤ 8.5 mm.
We can also source other Keysight fixtures to cover frequencies below our standard 8.2 GHz floor. X-band permeability (8.2 – 12.4 GHz) and shielding effectiveness are measured on the WR-90 waveguide.
On the roadmap
Coming soon
WR-137 waveguide transmission line
Extends the standards-based method into C-band (5.85 – 8.2 GHz), making coverage contiguous from 5.85 GHz through 52.2 GHz.
Coming soon
SPEAG DAK-TL2
Open-coaxial-probe method for thin layers and liquids, 4 MHz – 67 GHz across three probe configurations. Sheets 0.1 – 10 mm; liquids 10 – 50 mL.
Coming soon
Free-space method (W & D band)
Non-contact transmission and reflection of flat samples at mmWave: WR-10 (75 – 110 GHz) and WR-6.5 (110 – 170 GHz).
Together, the DAK-TL2 (to 67 GHz) and the free-space method (from 75 GHz) push the roadmap toward 170 GHz, leaving only a small 67 – 75 GHz gap.
Custom operating conditions
- Elevated temperature: permittivity up to 200 °C with the N1501A high-temperature probe; SPDR runs to 100 °C; WR-90 and FPOR are room temperature only.
- Beyond standard dielectrics: ferromagnetics, absorbers, lossy and lightly doped samples, and liquids.
How custom requests work
Tell us the material, the frequency or property of interest, and the operating conditions. We will confirm feasibility, propose a method, and quote accuracy and turnaround before any work begins. Because these setups are non-standard, the deliverables and uncertainty are defined per project rather than fixed. Texas A&M researchers receive 50% off where listed pricing applies.
See also: WR-90, SPDR, FPOR, all material characterization services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you test materials below 8 GHz?
Yes. Below our standard 8.2 GHz floor we run rentable Keysight fixtures: the N1501A dielectric probe kit (high-temperature probe, 200 MHz – 20 GHz), a 16453A parallel-plate fixture (1 MHz – 1 GHz), and a 16451B parallel-plate fixture (20 Hz – 30 MHz, per ASTM D150). A planned WR-137 waveguide will also bring C-band (5.85 – 8.2 GHz) into our standard transmission-line suite. We can source other Keysight fixtures on request.
Do you measure liquids?
Yes, the N1501A dielectric probe characterizes both solids and liquids, up to 200 °C. The planned SPEAG DAK-TL2 will add liquid measurement of 10 – 50 mL volumes from 4 MHz to 67 GHz.
Can you measure crude oil and petroleum fluids?
Yes. Our open-ended coaxial dielectric probe (Keysight N1501A) measures the complex permittivity of crude oil, fuels, and other petroleum liquids from 200 MHz to 20 GHz, and the planned SPEAG DAK-TL2 extends liquid measurements to 67 GHz. These data support water-content, composition, and quality assessments. Typical sample volumes start around 10 mL.
Can you measure biological samples and tissues?
Yes. The coaxial-probe method is a standard technique for biological liquids, tissues, and other high-water-content semi-solids. Share the sample type, volume, and any temperature or handling requirements, and we’ll confirm the best probe and setup.
Can you measure wine and other beverages?
Yes. Beverages such as wine, spirits, and juices can be characterized for complex permittivity, which tracks water and alcohol content and overall composition, useful for product development and quality control. The probe handles small volumes; the planned DAK-TL2 measures 10 – 50 mL from 4 MHz to 67 GHz.
What temperature extremes can you reach?
The N1501A high-temperature probe measures up to 200 °C. SPDR runs from room temperature to 100 °C; WR-90 and FPOR are room temperature only.
Do you measure magnetic materials?
Yes, across two bands. X-band complex permeability (μr) of ferromagnetic materials and absorbers is measured on our WR-90 waveguide (8.2 – 12.4 GHz, ASTM D5568-22a). For lower frequencies, a rentable Keysight 16454A fixture measures permeability of toroidal magnetic materials from 1 kHz to 1 GHz.
Can you test above 52 GHz?
Today our FPOR reaches 52.2 GHz. Two planned additions extend higher: the SPEAG DAK-TL2 (an open-coaxial-probe method for thin layers and liquids) to 67 GHz, and a free-space method covering W-band (WR-10, 75 – 110 GHz) and D-band (WR-6.5, 110 – 170 GHz). Contact us to discuss timing or interim options.
How is custom pricing determined?
We confirm feasibility, propose a method, and quote accuracy and turnaround before any work begins. Deliverables and measurement uncertainty are defined per project.
Can you handle ITAR-controlled or export-controlled work?
Yes. iEMSL accepts ITAR-controlled projects under a Technology Control Plan, administered with the Texas A&M export control office. Tell us your control requirements when you request a quote, before shipping any samples.
Have an unusual measurement?
Describe your material and conditions, and we’ll scope it with you.