title: The microwave drill.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel. jerby@eng.tau.ac.il
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jerby
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dikhtyar
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Aktushev
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Grosglick