A technique for measuring the effective propagation constant of dense random media

The measurement technique considered in this paper has a significant impact on the modelling of electromagnetic scattering from dense random media. A method for measuring the effective propagation constant, K, directly is presented which is not restricted by the particle size, shape and density. The effective dielectric constant of the medium is evaluated from the mean bistatic scattered fields of a cluster of the random medium confined in a geometrical boundary. In this approach, the mean scattered fields are fitted to the bistatic scattered fields of a homogeneous lossy material having the same geometrical boundary. The bistatic measurement technique is based on a novel technique where only a monostatic radar and a rotatable ground plane are needed.