• RF dosimetry; breast dielectric characterization

This dissertation aims to investigate the interaction between electromagnetic fields and biological tissues for accurate dosimetric evaluations, as well as the application of an electromagnetic characterization system as a diagnostic tool. Specifically, the thesis focuses on two main topics: the former refers to the analysis of the specific absorption rate (SAR) of high-power (60 W), portable, and broadband EM sources. This type of instrumentation is commonly found in military equipment, such as communication backpack systems. The research aims to evaluate the impact of such radiant systems on human body. Therefore, the ultimate goal is to investigate how such devices affect the SAR in subject with different body shapes and genders and to provide guidelines for reducing the SAR levels. The latter topic focuses on the dielectric characterization of breast tissues as a pre-pathological diagnostic aid for early cancer detection, investigating two applications of a wideband characterization system based on a custom-designed open-ended coaxial probe. The first application involves the electromagnetic characterization of breast-simulating phantoms that are used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of microwave imaging technologies. The second application involves the use of the characterization system for the pre-classification of normal and malignant tissues also as a decision support system for conventional biopsies, enabling real-time tissue characterization. To accomplish this aim, the author conducted experimental research at the Hospital Virgen de la Salud in Toledo, Spain, where biopsy samples from 18 patients were gathered and processed via the microwave characterization system.