Single-rod probes for time domain reflectometry: Sensitivity and calibration
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Date
2005-08
Publication Type
Journal Article
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yes
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Abstract
Time domain reflectometry (TDR) probes consisting of one conducting rod and a wave mode converter are an alternative configuration that overcomes some of the disadvantages of conventional probes. We examined four different single-rod probes (SRPs) and a two-rod probe for sensitivity to a small and a large conductive scatterer in their vicinity. The SRPs were assembled combining a small and large wave mode converter with an uncoated and coated rod. We found that the volume sampled by SRPs is larger and more symmetric than in the case of a two-rod probe of equal size. A comparison of the mode converters showed a higher loss for the smaller converter but only a small difference concerning the spatial sensitivity. Coating the conducting rod with a high dielectric constant material reduces the spatial sensitivity. One of the SRPs and the two-rod probe were calibrated in a sand tank (particle size 0.08–0.2 mm) with volumetric water content up to 0.35 m3 m−3. The calibration showed only small differences in the measured bulk dielectric constant between the single-rod and the two-rod probe. Based on this study the SRP is a promising new tool for improved TDR measurement of soil moisture.
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published
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Journal / series
Volume
4 (3)
Pages / Article No.
551 - 557
Publisher
Soil Science Society of America
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03213 - Flühler, Hannes (emeritus)
03262 - Bächtold, Werner (emeritus)
03472 - Professur für Feldtheorie (ehemalig)