Electronics Design Microwave Magnetron Projects

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Subject Author Date
Microwave Magnetron Projects Paul Hovnanian P.E. 10-05-07
Posted by Paul Hovnanian P.E. on October 5, 2007, 12:46 pm
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I recently inherited a microwave oven with a damaged door latch. The
magnetron works, but the rest of the oven isn't worth saving. Before I
cannibalize it for parts (like the HV supply and some kewl magnets), are
there any (safe and legal) uses for the working magnetron?

I'm ruling out microwave weapons, anti police radar devices, etc for
obvious reasons, but if there's something to be done with this before
destroying it, I might add it to my projects list.

Links to project web sites would probably be best. Thanks.

--
Paul Hovnanian        paul@hovnanian.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The blinking cursor writes; and having writ, blinks on.

Posted by John Larkin on October 5, 2007, 1:58 pm
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On Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:46:45 -0700, "Paul Hovnanian P.E."

>I recently inherited a microwave oven with a damaged door latch. The
>magnetron works, but the rest of the oven isn't worth saving. Before I
>cannibalize it for parts (like the HV supply and some kewl magnets), are
>there any (safe and legal) uses for the working magnetron?
>
>I'm ruling out microwave weapons, anti police radar devices, etc for
>obvious reasons, but if there's something to be done with this before
>destroying it, I might add it to my projects list.
>
>Links to project web sites would probably be best. Thanks.

Ionize some gas maybe?

John


Posted by Martin Brown on October 7, 2007, 5:29 am
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On Oct 5, 6:58 pm, John Larkin
> On Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:46:45 -0700, "Paul Hovnanian P.E."
>
> >I recently inherited a microwave oven with a damaged door latch. The
> >magnetron works, but the rest of the oven isn't worth saving. Before I
> >cannibalize it for parts (like the HV supply and some kewl magnets), are
> >there any (safe and legal) uses for the working magnetron?
>
> >I'm ruling out microwave weapons, anti police radar devices, etc for
> >obvious reasons, but if there's something to be done with this before
> >destroying it, I might add it to my projects list.
>
> >Links to project web sites would probably be best. Thanks.
>
> Ionize some gas maybe?

It works pretty well to ionise Helium for a microwave induced plasma
as an ion source for ICP-MS, that is provided that you don't mind the
risk of catarracts, blindness and frying your kidneys. I once walked
into a lab where a senior researcher (who should know better) was
adjusting one with all interlocks off and the plasma fully exposed.
Surprisingly pleasing pale reddish coloured flame but I was out of
there instantly. About 1kW output and a spark to start the thing at
atmospheric pressure. eg.

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sas/sas/2001/00000055/00000002/art00003

By comparison the RF ICPMS argon plasma flames are unpleasantly bright
and UV rich but nothing like as dangerous.

Anyone without the requisite knowledge to keep the microwaves safely
confined can expect to get some very nasty complications from
microwave exposure.

Regards,
Martin Brown


Posted by Paul Hovnanian P.E. on October 7, 2007, 2:05 pm
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Martin Brown wrote:
>
> On Oct 5, 6:58 pm, John Larkin
> > On Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:46:45 -0700, "Paul Hovnanian P.E."
> >
> > >I recently inherited a microwave oven with a damaged door latch. The
> > >magnetron works, but the rest of the oven isn't worth saving. Before I
> > >cannibalize it for parts (like the HV supply and some kewl magnets), are
> > >there any (safe and legal) uses for the working magnetron?
> >
> > >I'm ruling out microwave weapons, anti police radar devices, etc for
> > >obvious reasons, but if there's something to be done with this before
> > >destroying it, I might add it to my projects list.
> >
> > >Links to project web sites would probably be best. Thanks.
> >
> > Ionize some gas maybe?
>
> It works pretty well to ionise Helium for a microwave induced plasma
> as an ion source for ICP-MS, that is provided that you don't mind the
> risk of catarracts, blindness and frying your kidneys. I once walked
> into a lab where a senior researcher (who should know better) was
> adjusting one with all interlocks off and the plasma fully exposed.
> Surprisingly pleasing pale reddish coloured flame but I was out of
> there instantly. About 1kW output and a spark to start the thing at
> atmospheric pressure. eg.
>
> http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/sas/sas/2001/00000055/00000002/art00003
>
> By comparison the RF ICPMS argon plasma flames are unpleasantly bright
> and UV rich but nothing like as dangerous.
>
> Anyone without the requisite knowledge to keep the microwaves safely
> confined can expect to get some very nasty complications from
> microwave exposure.
>
> Regards,
> Martin Brown

There are methods for doing so. The Next Big Thing in lighting is
microwave powered gas discharge lighting. No electrodes to wear out.

--
Paul Hovnanian mailto:Paul@Hovnanian.com
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Posted by Don Klipstein on October 7, 2007, 11:28 pm
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>
>>There are methods for doing so. The Next Big Thing in lighting is
>>microwave powered gas discharge lighting. No electrodes to wear out.
>
>I hope not. None of them have come close to meeting FCC Part 15
>unintentional radiator limits. The original microwave sulfur lamp was
>originally promoted by Fusion Lighting in the mid 1990's. The FCC
>sorta, kinda, maybe, somewhat killed the idea in 2003. Achrived web
>site at:
><http://web.archive.org/web/20010209135028/http://www.fusionlighting.com/>
>
>"Sulfur Lamps"
><http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulfur_lamp>

Says the sulfur bulb has a design life expectancy of 60,000 hours, and
that the magnetron needed to supply the microwaves has a design life
expectancy of 15,000-20,000 hours.
Meanwhile, I remember from elsewhere even shorter life expectancy being
usual for magnetrons - I generally got the impression of 10,000 hours.

>"FCC Rejects Satellite Radio's Petition to Ban RF Lights in 2.45 GHz
>Band"
><http://www.rwonline.com/dailynews/one.php?id=6211>

I think that would support a contention that FCC did not kill the sulfur
lamp.

The Wiki article even notes that FCC in 2003 terminated a proceeding
started in 1998 that otherwise would have increased regulation of RF
emissions from sulfur lamp systems.

<SNIP>

- Don Klipstein (don@misty.com)

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