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This paper presents the results of the fabrication and characterization up to 220 GHz, of thin-film microstrip (TFMS) transmission-line structures. The transmission lines are fabricated on a low-resistivity silicon substrate ([rho] = 10 [ohm] * cm). TFMS lines with a thick dielectric layer (20 [micro]m of benzocyclobutene is used here) present losses of 0.3 dB/mm at 94 GHz and 0.6 dB/mm at 220 GHz. Thus, using this technology, it will be possible to develop monolithic microwave integrated circuits on a silicon substrate. Index Terms--Dielectric film, low-resistivity silicon substrate, silicon, silicon monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs), transmission lines.

This paper discusses a method used to design planar bandpass filters for millimeter-wave applications in U- and W-band frequency ranges. For technical reasons, these filters have to be implemented on silicon-based technology. So as to decrease the insertion losses levels inherent in silicon substrate, we propose a thin-film microstrip-like technology implemented on a benzocyclobutene layer. In addition, a dual-behavior resonator-based filter topology enabled us to fit a hardened specification. In association with this new topology, we employed an automated design procedure that combines both circuit and full-wave simulations. It is based on a statistical sensitivity study performed by design-of-experiment analysis. Index Terms--Bandpass filter, millimeter-wave applications, silicon technology, U- and W-frequency band.

Broadband electromagnetic frequency or time domain sensor techniques present high potential for quantitative water content monitoring in porous media. Prior to in situ application, the impact of the relationship between the broadband electromagnetic properties of the porous material (clay-rock) and the water content on the frequency or time domain sensor response is required. For this purpose, dielectric properties of intact clay rock samples experimental determined in the frequency range from 1 MHz to 10 GHz were used as input data in 3-D numerical frequency domain finite element field calculations to model the one port broadband frequency or time domain transfer function for a three rods based sensor embedded in the clay-rock. The sensor response in terms of the reflection factor was analyzed in time domain with classical travel time analysis in combination with an empirical model according to Topp equation, as well as the theoretical Lichtenecker and Rother model (LRM) to estimate the volumetric water content. The mixture equation considering the appropriate porosity of the investigated material provide a practical and efficient approach for water content estimation based on classical travel time analysis with the onset-method. The inflection method is not recommended for water content estimation in electrical dispersive and absorptive material. Moreover, the results clearly indicate that effects due to coupling of the sensor to the material cannot be neglected. Coupling problems caused by an air gap lead to dramatic effects on water content estimation, even for submillimeter gaps. Thus, the quantitative determination of the in situ water content requires careful sensor installation in order to reach a perfect probe clay rock coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]