Standard Operating Procedures for the GrInShield project Shielding efficiency measurements

TWINNING FOR NEW GRAPHENE-BASED COMPOSITES IN ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERFERENCE SHIELDING GrInShield, funded by EU, No 101079151, HORIZON-CSA\HORIZON-AG Standard Operating Procedures for the GrInShield project Shielding efficiency measurements 2 Document contributors: Contributor: Institution: Role: Sebbache Mohamed CNRS Author Duska Kleut VINCA Author Kamel Haddadi CNRS Reviewer Svetlana Jovanovic VINCA Reviewer Document history: Version: Date: Comment: 1.1 – Draft 21.10.2025. D. Kleut first draft 1.2. V1 22.10.2025. S. Jovanovic reviewed 1.2 – V2 22.10.2025. K. Haddadi reviewed DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17482372 3 Acronyms Acronym Meaning DMP Data Management Plan DPO Data Protection Officer EC European Commission CC-BY 4.0 Creative Commons License IPR Intellectual Property Rights VINCA Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade FTPO Faculty of Polymer Technology, Slovenj Gradec IEMN – CNRS –UL The Institute of Electronics, Microelectronics and Nanotechnology, National Centre for Scientific Research, University of Lille Uni Oldenburg Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg WP Work Package WS Workshop GA Grant Agreement PM Person Month SS Summer School SOP Standard Operating Procedures 4 Table of Contents 1. Description of document content and purpose ............................................................................................... 5 2. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 5 3. Setup ............................................................................................................................................................... 5 3.1. Coaxial setup ........................................................................................................................................... 5 3.2. Waveguide setup ...................................................................................................................................... 6 4. Procedure ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 5. Analysis .......................................................................................................................................................... 7 6. References ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 5 1. Description of document content and purpose The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have been prepared by GrInShield partners. This document aims to gather the most important data necessary for conducting reliable, reproducible, and accurate measurements of the material's various physical and chemical properties. This document outlines procedures for measuring the shielding efficiency of different materials in thin film form, using two different setups, including a vector network analyzer. SOPs are written for the following devices: • Coaxial system thin film shielding efficiency measurement • Waveguide system thin material shielding efficiency measurement. 2. Introduction Measuring the shielding efficiency of thin films involves using a vector network analyzer (VNA) with specialized fixtures to measure insertion loss (which represents the shielding effectiveness) in a specific frequency range. For different or higher frequencies, alternative test methods like a dual-chamber box for nearfield measurements or a portable stand with horn antennas may be used, and results are often analyzed based on reflection and absorption losses. Using a VNA is a common method that uses a coaxial sample holder to measure the shielding effectiveness (SE) of planar materials by measuring insertion loss in a specific frequency range. 3. Setup 3.1. Coaxial setup - Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) with appropriate frequency range - P 9374A Keysight Streamline USB Vector Network Analyzer, up to 20 GHz - Coaxial test fixture (e.g., N-type or SMA connectors, sample holder)- custom-made at IEMN - Calibration kit (SOLT or TRL standards) - TOSLKF50A - Thin film samples (cut to standard dimensions) - RF cables and adapters - Computer with VNA control software 6 3.2. Waveguide setup - Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) with appropriate frequency range - P9370a Keysight Streamline USB Vector Network Analyzer, 300kHz -4.5GHz - Waveguide to coaxial adaptors WR340 or other - Calibration kit - 85561A - Shielding material samples (cut into appropriate dimensions) - RF cables and adapters - Computer with VNA control software 4. Procedure • Input RF power = -15 dBm • IFBW = 100 Hz • No of points = 801 • Perform full 2-port calibration at the measurement plane. • Save all S-parameters in S2p format (txt) • Verification steps - Empty structure (ports connected) 7 - Isolated ports From empty isolated ports measurement, S21 in amplitude will be used to de-embed cable losses (be careful, to de-embed at low frequency, stand-off (distance separation must be kept identical to sample thickness) From isolated ports measurement, S11 in amplitude will be used to de-embed cable losses 3/ nb of samples • Put markers and add data to the Table. • Record baseline (empty fixture) and reference (e.g., copper foil) measurements - Measure Aluminum (1 and 2 layers, add thicknesses) - Measure cellulose paper (1 and 2 layers, add thicknesses) • Measure sample thickness before any RF measurement • To prove repeatability: do 2 measurements on each sample, if not identical, do the 3rd measurement and calculate the average. 5. Analysis • Record all measurement parameters, sample details, and environmental conditions. • Include calibration logs and raw S-parameter data. • Summarize results in tabular and graphical formats. • Calculate shielding effectiveness (SE) using: SE = -20 \log_{10} |S_{21}| • Optionally separate reflection and absorption components. • Plot SE vs frequency. • Compare with reference materials and standards. 6. References 1. Siva Kumar, O. V. P. R.; Sundaramoorthy, A.; Padmapriya, V. S.; Raman D. N. Preparation of freestanding films from SWCNT/PANI nanocomposites using different blending techniques and characterization of their EMI shielding effectiveness in X-band, Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements, 2022, 197(3), 209-217, DOI: 10.1080/10426507.2021.2012680 2. Amaro, A.; Suarez, A.; Torres, J.; Martinez, P.A.; Herraiz, R.; Alcarria, A.; Benedito, A.; Ruiz, R.; Galvez, P.; Penades, A. Shielding Effectiveness Measurement Method for Planar Nanomaterial Samples Based on CNT Materials up to 18 GHz. Magnetochemistry 2023, 9, 114. https://doi.org/10.3390/magnetochemistry9050114