Abstract
Dielectric properties of tissue materials have been extensively studied (Schwan, 1957, 1963, 1965). A basic understanding has been achieved of the mechanisms and structures that determine the electromagnetic properties of tissue materials. It has been demonstrated that tissue materials are nearly nonmagnetic, and thus have permeabilities close to that of free space and are independent of frequency. On the other hand, the electrical properties of tissue materials have been shown to display a characteristic dependence on frequency. They possess very high dielectric constants compared with many other types of homogeneous liquids and solids. This is because biological tissues are nonhomogeneous, and are composed of cells, macromolecules, and other membrane-bound substances. An example of the frequency-dependent character of tissue materials is given in Fig. 4-1. There are three principal regions of dispersions described as α, β, and γ, respectively. Each dispersion is defined by either a single relaxation frequency or a small group of relaxation frequencies.
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Michaelson, S.M., Lin, J.C. (1987). Radio and Microwave Dielectric Properties of Biological Materials. In: Biological Effects and Health Implications of Radiofrequency Radiation. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4614-3_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4614-3_4
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