TIL that microwave oven technology has improved somewhat and there are now affordable consumer microwaves that don't have that annoying rotating plate at the bottom, because the energy distribution is way more even. I wonder what changes they made to the magnetron to do this...
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tired: active electronically scanned array wired: active electronically scanned microwave oven
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According to a link I got sent they just rotate the emitter instead. Apparently it distributes the reflected waves better, which makes sense - less constructive and destructive interference.
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I suppose the increased cost is because you have to reliably drive a few kV through a rotating bearing...
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The one I just bought definitely does have some clever drive electronics though. It doesn't do PID-style on/off heating; it actually can variably modulate the output energy. Panasonic seem to be rather proud of this.
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oh yeah using an inverter instead of just transforming 60Hz up to whatever kV is sensical and lets you PWM the stuff
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Binary heating mechanisms are the most hateful things for cooking. Electric hobs are the worst. When I put it on low I mean low, not "burn for 10 seconds then let cool for 60 seconds".
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This thread has got me excited for a future where microwave ovens have SDRs
End of conversation
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