Whispering-gallery-mode resonance sensor for dielectric sensing of drug tablets

We propose, for the first time, the application of whispering gallery mode (WGM) perturbation technique in dielectric analysis of disk shape pharmaceutical tablets. Based on WGM resonance, a low-cost high sensitivity sensor in milllimeter-wave frequency range is presented. A comprehensive sensitivity analysis was performed to show that a change in the order of 10(-4) in the sample permittivity can be detected by the proposed sensor. The results of various experiments carried out on drug tablets are reported to demonstrate the potential multifunctional capabilities of the sensor in moisture sensing, counterfeit drug detection and contamination screening. Analytically, two sample placement configurations, i.e. a tablet placed on top of a dielectric disk resonator and inside a dielectric ring resonator, have been studied to predict the resonance frequency and Q-factor of the combined sample-resonator structure. The accuracy of the analytical model was tested against full-wave simulations and experimental data.