High Resolution Scanning Microwave Microscopy for Applications in Liquid Environment

Measurement of the permittivity and loss of high-loss materials using a Near-Field Scanning Microwave Microscope

“…This is tested by making measurements on polar liquids [14], which have high loss and make ideal candidates as reference standards as traceable complex permittivity data is available in the literature [15]. Other workers have used NSMMs to obtain images of aqueous and biological samples in which the probe is immersed [16] [17]. In the work described here a well-controlled and calculable geometry was needed, so liquids were contained in a cell with an ultrathin glass window, Fig.…”

Imaging of biological structures by Near-Field Microwave Microscopy

“…While using STM on biological specimens can be actually challenging, due to the small currents, we generally expect a reduced interaction, even though occasional contacts are still possible. Moreover we have recently demonstrated how the system can work even in liquid [7], and possibly in physiological conditions. Here we apply our approach to the investigation of biological samples, in particular C2C12 muscle mouse cells, fixed in paraformaldehyde on a Highly Oriented Pyrolitic Graphite substrate, and rabbit glycerinated miofibryls, where we identify the structure of single sarcomeres.…”

Near-field microwave microscopy for the characterization of dielectric materials

“…Several research groups have been developing the nearfield microwave microscopy with different designs [6]. Most of the papers published in the near-field microwave microscopy present qualitative characterizations [7][8][9][10], where no complex permittivity values are given.…”