Field Representation Microwave Thermography Utilizing Lossy Microwave Design Materials

In this contribution, we are investigating a technique for the representation of electromagnetic fields by recording their thermal footprints on an indicator material using a thermal camera. Fundamentals regarding the interaction of electromagnetic heating, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics are derived which allow for a precise design of the field illustration method. The synthesis and description of high-loss dielectric materials is discussed and a technique for a simple estimation of the broadband material’s imaginary permittivity part is introduced. Finally, exemplifying investigations, comparing simulations and measurements on the fundamental TE10-mode in an X-band waveguide are presented, which prove the above introduced sensing theory.

Broadside-Coupled Microstrip Lines as Low Loss Metamaterial for Microwave Circuit Design

The entire microwave theory is based on Maxwell’s equations, whereas the entire electronic circuit theory is based on Kirchhoff’s electrical current and voltage laws. In this paper, we show that the traditional microwave design methodology can be simplified based on a broadside-coupled microstrip line as a low loss metamaterial. That is, Kirchhoff’s laws are still valid in the microwave spectrum for narrowband signals around various designated frequencies. The invented low loss metamaterial has been theoretically analyzed, simulated, and experimentally verified in both time and frequency domains. It is shown that the phase velocity of a sinusoidal wave propagating on the low loss metamaterial can approach infinity, resulting in time-space shrink to a singularity as seen from the propagating wave perspective.

Optimization of Antenna Arrays and Microwave Filters Using Differential Evolution Algorithms

The purpose of this chapter is to briefly describe the DE algorithm and its variants and present their application to antenna and microwave design problems. This chapter presents results from design cases using self-adaptive DE. The chapter discusses the issues, problems, and trends with DE for wireless communications. A brief description of different DE algorithms is also given. The numerical results for different design cases are reported. Moreover, an outline of future research directions is provided. Finally, the chapter concludes and the advantages of using a self-adaptive DE-based approach in the design and optimization of microwave systems and antennas is discussed.

Industrial scale microwave applicator for high temperature alkaline hydrolysis of PET

A microwave design for an industrial scale applicator of a continuous microwave assisted depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been developed. The cavity is designed for use in combination with an Archimedean screw pump to transport the reaction material, surrounded by a cylindrical pipe with a diameter of 250 mm and a length of 250 mm at the 2.45 GHz ISM band. The proposed design is modular and can be easily expanded for the heating of longer reactor tubes. Simulation results show that a homogeneous heating of the process material along the screw axis can be achieved by using a novel cavity design which is based on the TE1,0,x– rectangular waveguide cavity mode. The achieved design provides high energy efficiency with a reflected power of less than 10%. It is robust against changes in the permittivity of the reactants. The electromagnetic design is based on the dielectric properties of the solvolytic reaction mixture measured in the relevant temperature range. It is verified over the full range of the expected permittivities.