Space efficient system for small animal, whole body microwave exposure at 1.6 GHz.
A space efficient, whole body microwave exposure system for unrestrained laboratory animals utilizing a flared parallel plate waveguide is described. The system comprises an Iridium wireless signal source, signal generator, power supply and amplifier (400 W), a coax to waveguide transition, an open ended, flared parallel plate waveguide, and animal exposure area with a dipole field sensing antenna. Across the waveguide aperture the system provides uniform exposure (+/-3 dB incident RF power density) for small animals (rats, mice or hamsters) in up to 18 standard cages for housing groups of animals. Overall system dimensions are 3.6 m (d)x2.4 m (w)x1.6 m (h). Operating at 1.62 GHz, the system provided average power density of 3.7 W/m(2) in the cage area, resulting in a calculated whole body dose of 0.07 W/kg and a calculated average brain dose of 0.19 W/kg.
Wilson
Bary W
BW
Battelle Pacific Northwest Division, Richland, Washington, USA. bary.wilson@pnl.gov
Faraone
Antonio
A
Sheen
David
D
Swicord
Mays
M
Park
Walter
W
Morrissey
Joseph
J
Creim
Jeffrey
J
Anderson
Larry E
LE
D000818:Animals; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D008872:Microwaves; D011247:Pregnancy; D011853:Radiobiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D051381:Rats; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000379:methods*