Abstract
A standard three components mixture model for the dielectric constant is compared to the measured transmittance and reflectance of FIR radiation through a wet cellulose matrix. This model reproduces, at least qualitatively, the peculiar behaviour of the reflectance versus water content curve. However, the absorption coefficient for water content above 5% can only be reproduced if we postulate that the water adsorbed between 5% and 10% in volume possesses an anomalously high absorption coefficient. This is interpreted in terms of the flickering clusters model for water and the structure breaking role of the cellulose surface. © 1986 SPIE.