Measurement of Radio-Frequency Radiation Pressure

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the measurement of RF radiation pressure at 15 GHz, proposing a method that could enable SI-traceable power calibration linked to fundamental constants.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to measure RF radiation pressure, potentially allowing direct SI traceable RF power measurements based on radiation force.

Findings

Successful measurement of RF radiation pressure at 15 GHz

Potential for SI-traceable RF power calibration

Link to fundamental SI units through radiation pressure

Abstract

We perform measurements of the radiation pressure of a radio-frequency (RF) electromagnetic field which may lead to a new SI-traceable power calibration. There are several groups around the world investigating methods to perform more direct SI traceable measurement of RF power (where RF is defined to range from 100s of MHz to THz). A measurement of radiation pressure offers the possibility for a power measure traceable to the kilogram and to Planck's constant through the redefined SI. Towards this goal, we demonstrate the ability to measure the radiation pressure/force carried in a field at 15~GHz.