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Science 18 October 2002:
Vol. 298. no. 5593, pp. 587 - 589
DOI: 10.1126/science.1077062
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Reports

The Microwave Drill

E. Jerby,* V. Dikhtyar, O. Aktushev, U. Grosglick

We present a drilling method that is based on the phenomenon of local hot spot generation by near-field microwave radiation. The microwave drill is implemented by a coaxial near-field radiator fed by a conventional microwave source. The near-field radiator induces the microwave energy into a small volume in the drilled material under its surface, and a hot spot evolves in a rapid thermal-runaway process. The center electrode of the coaxial radiator itself is then inserted into the softened material to form the hole. The method is applicable for drilling a variety of nonconductive materials. It does not require fast rotating parts, and its operation makes no dust or noise.

Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.
*   To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: jerby{at}eng.tau.ac.il

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)