Can we get Higher Frequencies from an Oven Magnetron?

In summary, modifying a typical oven magnetron to produce higher frequencies of EM radiation is not possible as they are designed to oscillate at a specific frequency. The microwave frequencies used in microwave ovens are chosen based on regulatory and cost constraints, and changing the frequency to resonate with other components of food is not feasible. The legal restriction on frequency is decided by licensing of radiation sources and the wavelength is set by the dimensions of the resonant cavity. Magnetic field is unimportant as it simply sets the direction of curvature of the electron paths. Internal "Pi strapping" effectively short circuits all modes, except for the most efficient one, making it impossible to change the frequency by external tuning.
  • #1
tade
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magnetron.gif

Is it possible, and if so, how should we modify a typical oven magnetron so as to produce higher frequencies of EM radiation?
 
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  • #2
tade said:
magnetron.gif

Is it possible, and if so, how should we modify a typical oven magnetron so as to produce higher frequencies of EM radiation?

no, they are designed to oscillate at a specific frequency

and what dangerous things were you planning to do with 100's of Watts of microwave power ?Dave
 
  • #3
davenn said:
no, they are designed to oscillate at a specific frequency
I know, but with modifications?

davenn said:
and what dangerous things were you planning to do with 100's of Watts of microwave power ?
change the frequency so as to resonate with the other components of food, besides the water in food.
 
  • #4
I guess you could decrease the Brownian motion by freezing it with liquid nitrogen and thus increase the photon energy aka frequency. It works with lasers and leds, I doubt it will with a magnetron, though.
 
  • #5
tade said:
… change the frequency so as to resonate with the other components of food, besides the water in food.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven#Principles
Wikipedia said:
Sometimes, microwave heating is explained as a resonance of water molecules, but this is incorrect; such resonances occur only at above 1 terahertz (THz).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microwave_oven#Design
Wikipedia said:
The microwave frequencies used in microwave ovens are chosen based on regulatory and cost constraints. The first is that they should be in one of the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) frequency bands set aside for non-communication purposes. For household purposes, 2.45 GHz has the advantage over 915 MHz in that 915 MHz is only an ISM band in the ITU Region 2 while 2.45 GHz is available worldwide. Three additional ISM bands exist in the microwave frequencies, but are not used for microwave cooking. Two of them are centered on 5.8 GHz and 24.125 GHz, but are not used for microwave cooking because of the very high cost of power generation at these frequencies. The third, centered on 433.92 MHz, is a narrow band that would require expensive equipment to generate sufficient power without creating interference outside the band, and is only available in some countries.
 
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  • #7
tade said:
i need magnetron specifics though
What specifics ?
The legal restriction on frequency is decided by licensing of radiation sources.

Wavelength is set by the dimensions of the resonant cavity, if you make it bigger it will have a proportionally longer wavelength = lower frequency. Every time a magnetron is turned on it heats up and physically expands, so the frequency chirps slightly downwards in the ISM band.

Magnetic field is unimportant as it simply sets the direction of curvature of the electron paths. Variation of field can give maybe a one percent change in frequency, but extreme changes will lead to higher internal losses and cooling problems.

Internal “Pi strapping” effectively short circuits all modes, (except for the most efficient), by forcing the phase between cavities to be Pi radians = 180°. Only a small proportion of the circulating internal resonant energy is extracted per cycle so the frequency cannot be pulled by changing the external tuning to select another mode or harmonic at a different frequency.
 
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  • #8
tade said:
I know, but with modifications?change the frequency so as to resonate with the other components of food, besides the water in food.
A microwave oven does not operate at a resonant frequency of water. Any frequency will do.
 

Related to Can we get Higher Frequencies from an Oven Magnetron?

1. What is a magnetron and how does it work?

A magnetron is a type of vacuum tube used in microwave ovens to generate high-frequency electromagnetic waves. It works by using a strong magnetic field to control the movement of electrons, which then interact with a resonant cavity to produce microwaves.

2. What is the highest frequency that can be achieved from an oven magnetron?

The highest frequency that can be achieved from an oven magnetron is typically around 2.45 GHz, which is the frequency used in most household microwave ovens. However, some industrial magnetrons can reach frequencies up to 10 GHz.

3. Can we increase the frequency output of an oven magnetron?

Technically, it is possible to increase the frequency output of an oven magnetron by modifying its design or using specialized components. However, this is not recommended as it can be dangerous and may damage the magnetron or the microwave oven.

4. How does the output frequency affect the cooking speed in a microwave oven?

The output frequency of a microwave oven does not directly affect the cooking speed. Instead, it is the power output (measured in watts) that determines how quickly food is cooked. Higher frequencies may allow for more precise cooking, but it will not significantly impact the overall cooking time.

5. Are there any health concerns related to higher frequencies from an oven magnetron?

No, there are no known health concerns related to the higher frequencies produced by an oven magnetron. Microwave ovens are designed and tested to ensure they are safe for use in households. However, it is important to always follow proper safety precautions and use microwave-safe containers when heating food in a microwave oven.

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