Non-Destructive Testing for Black Heart Cavities in Potatoes with Microwave Radiation

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of microwave radiation for non-destructive detection of black heart cavities in potatoes, combining simulations and lab experiments to assess the feasibility of the method.

Contribution

It introduces a novel microwave-based approach for detecting internal cavities in potatoes, supported by simulations and experimental validation.

Findings

Microwave propagation changes due to cavities can produce measurable signals up to 26 dB in simulations.

Lab experiments confirmed cavity detection with measurable S21 changes, around 0.1 dB.

Complex permittivity data for potatoes were measured across 0.5-20 GHz.

Abstract

A first investigation into the use of microwaves for the non-destructive testing for the presence of black heart cavities is presented. Additionally a potato's complex permittivity data between 0.5 GHz to 20 GHz measured using a coaxial sensor and the recipe for a potato phantom are also presented. Electromagnetic finite-difference time-domain simulations of potatoes show that changes to how microwaves propagate through a potato caused by a cavity can produce measurable changes in S21 at the potato's surface of up to 26 dB. Lab-based readings of the change in S21 caused by a phantom cavity submerged in a potato phantom liquid confirms the results of the simulation, albeit at a much reduced magnitude in the order of 0.1 dB.