ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES FOR THERAPY 283

production of electromagnetic waves (chapter 9) which are beamed by the reflector.

Figure 11.4
Schematic diagram: microwave
apparatus

The frequency of the microwaves is equal to the frequency of the AC produced by the
magnetron. This is determined by the physical construction of the magnetron and is
fixed during manufacture.
A number of differently shaped antennas and reflectors may be used for directing the
beam. Each gives a different beam shape though none gives a perfectly uniform
beam. To obtain a collimated uniform beam (like a searchlight) would require a
parabolic reflector with a point source of radiation as shown in figure 11.5(a). If a point
source of radiation is placed at the focus of the parabola the beam emerges with a
uniform cylindrical shape as shown.
In the case of microwaves used by physiotherapists, the most common frequency is
2450 MHz and the wavelength in air is 12 cm. The source of radiation is normally a
half-wave antenna; a rod shaped conductor about 6 cm long. Placed in a small
parabolic reflector the antenna would produce a highly non-uniform beam (figure
11.5b). To produce a reasonably uniform beam the antenna would need to be placed
in a reflector very much larger than its 6 cm length. A reflector with a focal length of a

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ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES FOR THERAPY 284

metre or more and a diameter of several metres would be needed - producing a

beam which is metres in diameter.
Figure 11.5
(a) a uniform beam from a parabolic reflector and
point source, (b) a non-uniform beam from a
parabolic reflector and extended source

For therapeutic application, a microwave beam only 10

to 20 cm in diameter is desirable, in order to localize
the microwave energy. Reflectors 10 or 20 cm in
diameter with antennas about 6 cm in length cannot
produce a uniform beam but can be designed to
produce a diverging beam. The beams obtained from
reflectors presently used in therapy diverge
considerably - the wave intensity decreasing rapidly
with distance from the reflector. The reflectors must be
designed this way: if a less divergent beam is
produced part of the beam will be divergent, part will be
parallel and part focussed at some point in front of the
reflector as in figure 11.5(b). This has the obvious risk
of producing a local hot-spot in the patient's tissue and
causing tissue damage.
Microwave applicators are available to produce a number of beam patterns. The
pattern is not obvious from inspection of the shape of the reflector but the
manufacturers do supply this information.

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