Multiphysical Characterization of a Tissue-Mimicking Phantom: Composition, Thermal Behavior, and Broadband Electromagnetic Properties from Visible to Terahertz and Microwave Frequencies

This article presents a comprehensive multiphysical characterization of a muscle-equivalent tissue-mimicking phantom intended for biomedical electromagnetic and thermal studies. The phantom’s chemical composition, thermophysical properties, and broadband electromagnetic response are systematically analyzed across visible, microwave, and terahertz frequency ranges. Optical properties are evaluated in the VIS–NIR spectrum, dielectric properties are extracted in the microwave band, and terahertz response is characterized using reflection-mode THz spectroscopy. Thermal stability and heat transport properties are assessed under physiologically relevant conditions and validated through controlled microwave hyperthermia experiments. The results provide an integrated materials-level understanding of the phantom’s behavior, supporting its suitability for broadband electromagnetic exposure, dosimetry, and hyperthermia applications.