An improved method to measure microwave induced impulsive forces with a torsion balance or weighing scale

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new method for measuring microwave-induced impulsive forces using a torsion balance or weighing scale, with direct microwave coupling to improve accuracy and reduce disturbances in force measurements.

Contribution

The novel approach couples microwave signals directly to the device under test, reducing heat and electromagnetic disturbances during force measurements.

Findings

Verified up to 15 W power levels

Achieved at least 75% microwave transmission

Disturbing forces below 10 micronewtons

Abstract

A novel method is presented for measuring impulsive forces generated by devices which are fed with medium power microwave signals. The forces are measured with a torsion balance or weighing scale, as usual, but the microwave signal is coupled directly to the device under test via a special coupling cavity instead of being generated on the measurement device. The method was verified at power levels up to 15 W, has a transmission of at least 75% (-1.3 dB attenuation) and is shown not to exert disturbing forces at this power level (vertical forces smaller then 10 micronewton). The application of this way of supplying microwave signals could significantly improve experiments which otherwise suffer from heat dissipation and Lorentz forces by components present on the force measurement device. A particular field of application, where previous research has failed to prove or disprove the existence of certain anomalous forces, is discussed.