We intended to confirm that microwave attenuation by tree leaves is strongly linked to water content in leaves. We sampled natural broadleaves, including Japanese cinnamon, and investigated their effects on the microwave (3 to 20 GHz) frequency charac...
We intended to confirm that microwave attenuation by tree leaves is strongly linked to water content in leaves. We sampled natural broadleaves, including Japanese cinnamon, and investigated their effects on the microwave (3 to 20 GHz) frequency characteristics using a network analyzer. Experiments determined that microwave attenuation by foliage increases as a linear function of frequency per unit weight (gram). As the frequency increases, the spatial resolution increases, but the phase difference (imaginary component) increases. So we solved the dispersion of phase difference by sweeping the frequency and taking the intermediate value. Based on these experimental results, we developed a microwave scanner on 10Ghz to describe foliage moisture as a image and to enable assessments of leaf condition. Photosynthesis is the process whereby plants synthesize oxygen and sugars from carbon dioxide and water, thereby converting light energy into chemical energy. Since water is a major parameter of photosynthesis, the quantity of water accumulated inside a leaf reflects leaf health. The equipment described here and related microwave technologies will help assess the capacity of leaves to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide.