Microwave Leakage: How Sub-Wavelength Radiation Escapes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of sub-wavelength radiation escaping from microwave oven door slits, specifically addressing the mechanics of this leakage and the implications of microwave oven design as a Faraday cage. The scope includes theoretical considerations and practical applications related to microwave safety and engineering.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how sub-wavelength radiation (approximately 12 cm at 2.45 GHz) can escape through a door slit that is less than 1 cm wide, suggesting a contradiction with the principles of a Faraday cage.
  • Another participant proposes that polarization might play a role in the leakage but expresses uncertainty about this explanation.
  • A different participant mentions that the question originates from a specific individual and speculates about a possible plasmon-related answer, indicating that polarization may be too broad of a concept.
  • One participant clarifies that they are developing a solution for addressing leakage in microwave ovens, indicating a practical application of the discussion.
  • Another participant asserts that while a microwave oven functions as a Faraday cage, leakage can occur when the slit size exceeds the distance between the rulings on the window, emphasizing that leakage is a continuous function of wavelength and separation between conductive paths.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms of radiation leakage and the effectiveness of microwave ovens as Faraday cages. There is no consensus on the primary factors contributing to the observed leakage.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge that leakage is not simply determined by comparing the wavelength to the opening size, suggesting a more complex relationship that involves multiple variables.

batlep1
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How can sub-wavelength (about 12 cm./2.45GHz) radiation escape a microwave oven door slit-under 1 cm. wide. Why not a Faraday cage?
 
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Probably polarization, but I'm not sure - where is this question coming from?
 
Coming from M.Lepselter at : mplep@btlfellows.com. Is that your question?
I thought you might have a plasmon answer but polarization is too broad an answer. The box is reflecting from all angles and a 2.45GHz photon is still 12 cm.
 
I don't mean who, I mean what is the purpose of this question - it is very specific.
 
I am developing a band-aid for many leaky microwave ovens.
 
A microwave oven is a Faraday cage. The leak from a door slit will exceed the typical leak rate from the window when the size of the slit exceeds the distance between rulings (mesh size) on the window. You can't simply compare the wavelength to the opening and use that as a hard limit to determine whether or not there will be leakage. There is always some leakage and it is a smooth function of the wavelength and separation between conducting paths.
 

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