The BYU-Idaho Physics Department x-band microwave optics equipment was originally intended for use in classroom demonstrations. I evaluated this equipment for use in research. I designed and built additional equipment needed in order to perform attenuation and other experiments then used it to conduct research on the transmission properties of paper and other substances. The new equipment allowed me to create a standard experimental procedure, take reasonably accurate measurements, and reduce undesired standing wave effects. Mathematical and experimental analysis was done to determine the necessary parameters of the new equipment. The new apparatus is comparable to setups featured in published journals and will give research opportunities to future students. With this equipment I examined the transmission properties of paper. I investigated its index of refraction and polarization properties. I showed that paper acts as linear polarizer in two independent ways. A stack of paper edge-on as the incident surface is a known linear polarizer. After researching the conductive properties of paper, I predicted then demonstrated that a stack of paper with microwaves incident perpendicular to the pages is also a linear polarizer.