Measurement comparison among Time-Domain, FTIR and VNA-based spectrometers in the THz frequency range

Abstract

In this paper we present the outcome of the first international comparison in the terahertz frequency range among three different kinds of spectrometers. A Fourier-Transform infrared spectrometer, a Vector Network Analyzer and a Time-Domain Spectrometer have been employed for measuring the complex refractive index of three travelling standards made of selected dielectric materials in order to offer a wide enough range of parameters to be measured. The three spectrometers have been compared in terms of measurement capability and uncertainty.