Microwave/Material Science
We have developed a novel, high-power, microwave-based material processing facility for outside customers. The facility allows multifrequency microwave processing as well as conventional processing. It can process frequencies as high as 83 GHz using a gyrotron (15 kW). This unique facility offers multimode operation and beam-scanning.
The 83-GHz facility is within the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Washington DC campus. We collaborate with NRL and Materials Research Laboratory at Pennsylvania State University, and use the facility to develop new materials and processes. We encourage other organizations to contact us for help testing new techniques, processes, and materials.
The main frequencies are the conventional 2.45 GHz and the novel 83 GHz (using gyrotrons). Most bulk processing works at 2.45 GHz, but the 83-GHz frequency offers some unique advantages and applications.
Gyrotron Processing System (Millimeter-Wave)
Unique Advantages of 84 GHz Gyrotron Microwaves
- Quasi-optical characteristics of the beam let it focus, spread, rasterize, or direct onto specific parts of sample being processed.
- Microwaves can heat non-metallic materials to melting points in seconds or less.
- Microwaves do not heat nonabsorbing material components unnecessarily.
- The heating depth ranges from millimeters to centimeters, extremely useful dimensions for industrial processing.
Gyrotron Microwave Processing Application Areas:
- Coating of materials
- Soldering and brazing
- Treatment of polymers
- Semiconductor processing
- Ceramic processing
- Materials synthesis