Patent ID: 9176056
Filing Date: 2015-11-03
Classification: G01N,G01S

Abstract:
1. A method of measuring the reflectivity of a region of an article to electromagnetic radiation comprising the steps of: a) arranging the article in the near-field of a transceiver antenna, b) aligning the antenna along a direction substantially orthogonal to a surface of the region to be measured and at a predetermined distance from said surface, c) illuminating the region of the article with electromagnetic radiation transmitted from the antenna over a desired frequency range, d) receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from the region of the article in the near-field of the antenna using said antenna, e) measuring the reflected radiation and determining there-from the reflectivity of said article in said region; wherein at least one substantially rigid spacing member is provided in mechanical communication with the article and the antenna so as to align the antenna, and the spacing member comprises an optical element comprising a polymer foam disposed between the antenna and the article and wherein the illuminating and measuring steps are performed through said optical element.