Dipole Moments of Weak, Electrically Small Emitters from TEM-Cell Measurements

Published

December 1, 1998

Author(s)

David A. Hill, Kenneth H. Cavcey

Abstract

This report presents a new method for determining the equivalent electric and magnetic dipole moments of an electrically small emitter from TEM-cell measurements. The electric dipole moments are determined from open-circuit measurements, and the magnetic dipole moments are determined from short-circuit measurements. The method has the advantages of simplicity in separating the electric and magnetic dipole emissions and increased sensitivity resulting from the in-phase reflection from the open- or short-circuited port. The method has been used on two commercial electronic timers, and in both cases the electric dipole moment was measurable, but the magnetic dipole response was below the noise floor. These results have practical application to the problem of detection of electronic bomb detonators.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 5079

Report Number

5079

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

capacitance, dipole moment, electrically small emitter, electric dipole, inductance, magnetic dipole, quasi-static fields, reciprocity, TEM cell

Citation

Hill, D. and Cavcey, K. (1998), Dipole Moments of Weak, Electrically Small Emitters from TEM-Cell Measurements, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed October 18, 2025)