Microwave Electromagnetic Field Affects the Corona Discharge Pattern of Water

Abstract

We investigated the influence of microwave irradiation (cw; 10 GHz) on water by means of corona discharge electrography. Water drops from previously irradiated and control water were exposed to a high-voltage, high-frequency electric field on a photographic plate. Electrographs of the corona discharge around control and irradiated drops were taken simultaneously, and the images obtained were analyzed by computer. Several parameters relating to the luminosity, shape, and streamers of the image were calculated and tested nonparametrically. The results show a distinct, nonlinear behavior of corona discharge patterns (both radially and angularly) in water drops exposed to different microwave power densities (5 × 10⁻¹-5 × 10⁻⁸ mWcm⁻²).