Microwave Oven Window

Abstract

An observation window for a microwave device exhibiting microwave radiation of a predetermined frequency, the observation window comprising two optically transparent conductive films, each of the transparent conductive films primarily reflecting incident microwave radiation and being substantially parallel and spatially separated from each other by a predetermined distance, the predetermined distance being equal to an odd integer multiple of one quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation of the predetermined frequency in the interstice between the transparent films, the predetermined distance having a tolerance of plus or minus 0.15 of the wavelength in the interstice.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the field of optically transparent windows and in particular to an optically transparent window exhibiting attenuation for microwave radiation.

Microwave ovens are common domestic appliances used for heating food. Generally they operate at a fixed frequency of 2.45 GHz, which is allocated for industrial use by national regulatory authorities and international agreement. It is desirable on the one hand to equip the oven with a window permitting observation of the food during heating and cooking, while it is necessary on the other hand to prevent harmful levels of microwave radiation from escaping from the oven, and potentially harming people in the vicinity of the oven. Today this is commonly accomplished by fitting the door of the oven with a double glazed window exhibiting a metal grid in the inter-pane region, or a by the use of a metal grid covered on both sides by plastic sheets. The metal grid is typically fabricated from a metal sheet, in which a multiplicity of small holes have been punched, or by using a woven or expanded metallic screen, characterized by a periodic array of openings separated by metal. Each hole or opening is much smaller than the wavelength of approximately 12.2 cm of the 2.45 GHz radiation, and thus the microwave power which escapes through the grid is greatly attenuated.

While these grids are effective in reducing the radiation to what has been determined to be safe levels, the visibility of the oven contents through the grid is generally poor. It is desirable to have an oven window with greater visibility, while providing adequate attenuation of the microwave radiation to meet safety standards.

Several inventions have been proposed recently to improve visibility using thin films which absorb microwave radiation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,981,927 to Osepchuk et al. issued Nov. 9, 1999, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by references, teaches the use of an absorbing film together with a metal screen. The requirement for a metal screen does not satisfactorily resolve the issue of visibility.

TABLE I
Sample #	1	2	3	4
Glass Supplier	AFG	AFG	PILKINGTON	AFG
Description	Comfort Lowe	PV-TCO	TEC7	TiAC36
Coating Material	Fluorine	Fluorine	Fluorine	Silver
	doped tin	doped tin	doped tin	based
	oxide	oxide	oxide	low-e
R [Ω/□]	24	12.6	8	2.6
Maximum	>10	>10	>10	6
Leakage (1 pane)
mW/cm2
Maximum	10	5	0.9	<0.01
Leakage (2
panes, λ/4
spacing)
mW/cm2

Samples 1-3 all cracked at some point during tests performed under the above conditions, but the cracking did not adversely affect the microwave radiation leakage. Cracking was not observed in Sample 4.

Cracking was prevented, however, by making two further modifications to the microwave oven. First, as described above, a standard fluorescent lamp (Mitsushi 8W DL 220V 01/05) was mounted along the upper rear corner of the chamber. The lamp was not directly connected to an electrical supply, but rather was excited by the microwave radiation in the chamber. Additionally, as described above, the fan was operated from the time that microwave energy was first applied, to a time at least 30 seconds after the microwave radiated ceased. Under these circumstances, no cracking was observed in any tests performed in the 2-pane

U.S. Pat. No. 6,822,208 issued Nov. 23, 2004 to Henze et al, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches the use of a optically transparent microwave absorbing first film and an optically transparent microwave reflecting second film. Henze et al. intends for the first film to not only attenuate microwave transmission, but also to use the absorbed microwave energy to heat itself, and a transparent panel which supports it, and thus to prevent water condensation which could occlude visibility.

Microwave absorbing films have several disadvantages including: they absorb microwave energy intended for heating the contents of the oven; and in so doing, they, and the substrate supporting them, are heated, and can reach substantially elevated temperatures. Such elevated temperatures can constitute a safety hazard, since a user removing food or other contents from the oven might be injured touching the inside window. Furthermore, the periodic heating and cooling can compromise the integrity of the window by periodically stressing the interface between the film and the substrate and hence encouraging delamination of the film, and by producing thermal stresses in the substrate which exceed its yield strength, and hence causing the substrate to crack.

It should be noted that all materials, and in particular thin films, can simultaneously interact with microwave radiation in several ways, including by absorption, reflection, and transmission of the microwave radiation. Since all materials absorb microwave radiation to some degree, the term absorbing film as used herein is meant to describe a film where absorption is the primary interaction. Furthermore, it should be noted that the degrees of absorption, reflection, and transmission of a thin film, and specifically a film whose thickness is much less than the wavelength and skin depth at the radiation frequency of interest, are controlled primarily by a quantity known as the surface resistivity denoted as R, and R=ρ/d, where ρ is the resistivity of the thin film material (expressed in International Standard units of Ohm-meters), and d is the film thickness. R is usually expressed in terms of “Ohms per square” [Ω/□]. This is the resistance which would be measured between perfectly conductive electrodes fitted along the length of any two opposing sides of a square sample of the film of any size. The influence of R on the absorption, reflection and transmission for a simple idealized example of a plane wave normally incident on a planar film with infinite lateral extent, having a surface resistivity of R, is illustrated in FIG. 1, where the x-axis denotes surface resistivity in Ω/□ and the y-axis denotes the coefficient of absorption, reflection and transmission respectively. Curve 2 plots the absorption coefficient as a function of R, curve 4 plots the reflection coefficient as a function of R and curve 6 plots the transmission coefficient as a function of R. The power absorption, reflection, and transmission coefficients are given respectively by Equations 1-3:

$\begin{array}{cc}\frac{S_a}{S_i}=\frac{\left(4\left(\frac{R}{\eta }\right)\right)}{{\left(1+2\left(\frac{R}{\eta }\right)\right)}^2}& \mathrm{Eq}.1\\ \frac{S_r}{S_i}=\frac{1}{{\left(1+2\left(\frac{R}{\eta }\right)\right)}^2}& \mathrm{Eq}.2\\ \frac{S_t}{S_i}=\left(\frac{2\left(\frac{R}{\eta }\right)}{1+2\left(\frac{R}{\eta }\right)}\right)& \mathrm{Eq}.3\end{array}$

where η=377Ω is the impedance of free space, S is the power flux, and the subscripts i, a, r, and t refer to the incident, absorbed, reflected, and transmitted powers.

It should be noted that R is inversely proportional to the film thickness d, and thus a given electrically conductive material can act primarily as a transmitter, absorber, or reflector of microwave energy, depending upon its thickness. Thus a very thin film of electrically conductive material with a very large surface resistivity, e.g. R>377Ω/□, will primarily transmit incident microwave radiation, while a similarly constituted film of intermediate thickness such that 94Ω/□<R<377Ω/□ will primarily absorb incident microwave radiation, and a similarly constituted film of a greater thickness such that R<94Ω/□ will primarily reflect incident microwave radiation. While these numbers pertain to the specific idealized example examined, the principle here described is general. Henze et. al., for example, teach using a first film with a surface resistivity of 200Ω/□ denoted point 8 on FIG. 1. As may be seen in FIG. 1, this is the value of R yielding the largest absorption coefficient, 0.5.

What is needed, and not supplied by the prior art, is an optically transparent window suitable for a microwave oven window which does not appreciable obscure view of the interior while attenuating transmitted microwave radiation to safe levels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of prior art. This is provided in the present invention by a microwave oven window exhibiting improved visibility while attenuating microwave radiation, the window comprising a pair of spatially separated substantially transparent conductive films which reflect microwave radiation. The two transparent conductive films are optimally spatially separated by a predetermined distance equal to approximately ¼ of a wavelength of the microwave radiation in the interstice between the two films. In one embodiment, the window is comprised of two spatially separated parallel panes of glass, and one surface of each of the panes of glass is coated with a transparent conducting oxide film.

In one embodiment visibility is further improved by placing a gas discharge lamp within the oven cavity, such that it is energized by the microwave radiation produced during oven operation.

In another embodiment, water condensation on the window, which can occlude visibility and cause cracking, is reduced or prevented by providing effective ventilation, which continues for a predetermined time after the application of microwave radiation is completed.

The invention provides for an observation window for a microwave device exhibiting microwave radiation of a predetermined frequency, the observation window comprising two optically transparent conductive films, each of the transparent conductive films primarily reflecting incident microwave radiation, the two optically transparent conductive films being arranged substantially parallel and spatially separated from each other by a predetermined distance defining an interstice, the predetermined distance being equal to an odd integer multiple of one quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation of the predetermined frequency in the interstice between the transparent conductive films, the predetermined distance having a tolerance of plus or minus 0.15 of the wavelength in the interstice.

In one embodiment the interstice is at least partially constituted of one of a substantial vacuum, a gas, a liquid or a solid. In another embodiment the two optically transparent films are applied to and supported by two transparent panels.

In one embodiment at least one of the two optically transparent films is applied to the side of one of the two panels which borders the interstice. In another embodiment the observation window further comprises a transparent panel, the two optically transparent films being applied to opposing sides of the transparent panel.

In one embodiment at least one of the films contains a layer of a metal. In one further embodiment the metal is silver. In another embodiment at least one of the films comprises a layer of a transparent conducting oxide. Preferably, the layer of a transparent conducting oxide comprises one of indium tin oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide and indium oxide.

In one embodiment the observation window further comprises at least one supporting panel, the films being deposited on the at least one supporting panel by means of physical vapor deposition. In another embodiment the observation window further comprises at least one supporting panel, the films being deposited on the at least one supporting panel by means of chemical vapor deposition.

In one embodiment the interstice is at last partially filled with a material whose dielectric constant at the frequency of the microwave radiation is greater than unity. In another embodiment the interstice is at least partially filled with a material which absorbs microwave radiation.

In one embodiment the interstice has disposed therein wires having a length of approximately one half of the microwave radiation wavelength in the interstice. Preferably the wires are generally parallel to the optically transparent conductive films. Further preferably the wires are of a width so that they are not visible to the naked eye. Further preferably the wires have a resistance approximately equal to the radiation resistance of a half-wave dipole antenna in the interstice.

In one embodiment the observation window further comprises at least one transparent panel and a frame, the two transparent conductive films each being secured to a face of the at least one transparent panel, the at least one transparent panels being supported by the frame. Preferably the frame is constructed of a conducting material.

In one embodiment the interstice comprises water. In another embodiment the surface resistivity of at least one of the two optically transparent conductive films is less than 150Ω/□. Preferably the surface resistivity of at least one of the two optically transparent conductive films is less than 94Ω/□. Further preferably the surface resistivity of at least one of the two optically transparent conductive films is between 2 and 20Ω/□.

In one embodiment the thickness of at least one of the two optically transparent conductive films is less than 5 μm. In another embodiment the thickness of at least one of the two optically transparent conductive films is less than 1 μm.

In one embodiment the interstice is at least partially filled with one of dry air, dry nitrogen and a noble gas. Preferably the interstice is further filled with a controlled amount of water vapor.

In one embodiment odd integer is 1. In another embodiment the interstice is at least partially filled with water. Preferably the water comprises a substance to prevent microbial growth or a substance to minimize degradation of surrounding surfaces.

The invention further provides for a microwave oven comprising: an observation window as described above; a microwave generator; a chamber communicating with the microwave generator; and a gas discharge lamp mounted in the chamber. Preferably the gas discharge lamp is energized by microwave energy supplied by the microwave generator.

The invention further provides for a microwave oven comprising: an observation window as described above; a microwave generator; a chamber communicating with the microwave generator; a ventilation duct; a fan; and a control unit, where the fan and ventilation duct are arranged to bring air from outside the chamber to inside the chamber, and the control unit turns on the fan approximately contemporaneously with the microwave generator, and turns off the fan at a predetermined time after the microwave generator is turned off.

In one embodiment the predetermined time is greater than the time required to exchange the volume of air in the chamber. In another embodiment the fan and the ventilation duct are arranged so that air from the outside is first directed at the microwave generator, and then directed into the chamber.

The invention independently provides for a method of attenuating microwave radiation of a predetermined frequency while maintaining observability, comprising: providing two optically transparent conductive surfaces, each of the transparent conductive surfaces primarily reflecting incident microwave radiation; and arranging the provided two optically transparent conductive surfaces to form an etalon exhibiting a predetermined distance between the provided two optically transparent conductive surfaces defining an interstice, the predetermined distance being equal to an odd integer multiple of one quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation of the predetermined frequency in the interstice between the transparent conductive surfaces, the predetermined distance having a tolerance of plus or minus 0.15 of the wavelength in the interstice.

In one embodiment the provided two optically transparent conductive surfaces each comprise a film. In another embodiment the providing comprises depositing a film on at least one supporting transparent panel. In another embodiment the method further comprises providing one of a gas and a liquid to fill the interstice.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals designate corresponding elements or sections throughout.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a graph of the calculated reflection, transmission, and absorption coefficients as a function of surface resistivity, for a plane wave normally incident on an infinitely wide thin film;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a microwave oven, showing the placement of an observation window in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the invention in which the transparent films are supported by a plurality of transparent panels;

FIG. 4 is a graph of the calculated transmission coefficient of a window in accordance with the principle of the invention comprising two 100Ω/□ transparent films exhibiting air in the interstice between the films, the transmission coefficient plotted as a function of the distance between the films;

FIG. 5 is a graph of the calculated transmission coefficient of a window in accordance with the principle of the invention comprising two 10Ω/□ transparent films exhibiting air in the interstice between the films, the transmission coefficient plotted as a function of the distance between the films;

FIG. 6 is the calculated maximum and minimum transmission of microwave radiation impinging on an etalon composed of two conducting parallel films, as a function of their film resistance;

FIG. 7 is a graph of the calculated transmission coefficient of a window in accordance with the principle of the invention comprising two 100Ω/□ transparent films exhibiting water in the interstice between the films, the transmission coefficient plotted as a function of the distance between the films;

FIG. 8 is a graph of the calculated transmission coefficient of a window in accordance with the principle of the invention comprising two 10Ω/□ transparent films exhibiting water in the interstice between the films, the transmission coefficient plotted as a function of the distance between the films;

FIG. 9 is a high level schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the invention in which the transparent films are supported by a single transparent panel; and

FIG. 10 is a high level schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the invention in which the interstice between the transparent films comprises wires.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present embodiments enable a microwave oven window exhibiting improved visibility while attenuating microwave radiation, the window comprising a pair of spatially separated substantially transparent conductive films which reflect microwave radiation. The two transparent conductive films are optimally spatially separated by a predetermined distance equal to approximately ¼ of a wavelength of the microwave radiation in the interstice between the two films. In one embodiment, the window is comprised of two spatially separated parallel panes of glass, and one surface of each of the panes of glass is coated with a transparent conducting oxide film.

In one embodiment visibility is further improved by placing a gas discharge lamp within the oven cavity, such that it is energized by the microwave radiation produced during oven operation.

In another embodiment, water condensation on the window, which can occlude visibility and cause cracking, is reduced or prevented by providing effective ventilation, which continues for a pre-determined time after the application of microwave radiation is completed.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is applicable to other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

A microwave oven generally comprises a source of microwave radiation such as a magnetron, and a chamber which serves as a multi-mode microwave cavity. Usually the chamber has a three-dimensional rectangular shape, and is thus enveloped by 6 rectangular walls. Usually five of these walls are manufactured from a metal, and one of the walls, e.g. the top wall, is fitted with an aperture to allow coupling from the microwave source into the chamber. Usually one wall is in the form of a door to allow access to the chamber, e.g. for inserting and removing food to be heated in the oven. Generally this door is fitted with a window to allow visual observation of the contents of the oven during heating, and heretofore, the nature of this window is typically of the prior art perforated metal construction described above. Preferably, the window is constituted in accordance with the principle of the current invention thereby exhibiting improved visibility while attenuating microwave radiation.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a microwave oven 10, showing the placement of an observation window in accordance with the present invention. Oven 10 comprises a plurality of walls 20 constituted generally of metal and a door 30 containing therein an observation window 40. In general, the metal walls 20, being good electrical conductors, reflect a large portion of microwave radiation incident upon them, thus enhancing the transfer of microwave radiation to the objects (e.g. food) placed within the chamber, and preventing dangerous radiation from escaping from the chamber. Disposed within the chamber is a gas discharge lamp 50. A fan 60 responsive to a control unit 70 communicates with a plurality of ventilation ducts 80.

The visibility of the contents of a microwave oven can be improved not only by eliminating the metal grid from the window in accordance with the subject invention, but also by improving the illumination within the oven. Prior art ovens are usually illuminated by a low power incandescent lamp located in the space between the inner and outer walls of the oven. Holes are punched in the inner wall to transmit the light into the oven enclosure while attenuating microwave radiation from the oven enclosure. In an embodiment of the present invention, gas discharge lamp 50 is placed directly in the oven chamber. In a preferred embodiment, no wires are attached to gas discharge lamp 50, but rather gas discharge lamp 50 is energized by the microwave radiation in the chamber. In a preferred embodiment, gas discharge lamp 50 comprises a fluorescent lamp. Prior art standard fluorescent lamps are advantageous because they are readily available and low cost, and produce a pleasant white light which illuminates the oven contents effectively and pleasantly. Gas discharge lamp 50 serves additional useful functions besides providing illumination. It also serves as an indicator that microwave energy is present and it serves as a microwave power regulating device, by acting as a load, and thus absorbing microwave energy, particularly when the chamber is empty. This limits the power flux to the transparent conducting material in the windows, and thus helps prevent window overheating and subsequent damage if the oven is operated without any contents.

Water evaporated from food in a microwave oven chamber can condense on cool oven walls and, in particular, on the inner surface of the window. This can interfere with visibility of the contents, and may also encourage crack formation. In an embodiment of the invention, the oven chamber is provided with a continuous flow of air, driven with fan 60. In one embodiment, the air is first directed past the magnetron or other microwave generator, and then directed into the chamber, and evacuated. This has the advantages of cooling the microwave generator, and providing heated air to the chamber, which can absorb a greater amount of water vapor than cooler air. In an embodiment of the invention, fan 60 is operated by a control unit 70, such that it operates all of the time that the microwave generator is operated, and ceases only after some predetermined time, typically 0.5 to 2 minutes, after the microwave generator is turned off. Fan 60 communicates with ducts 80 to bring outside air into the chamber. This will help prevent condensation on window 40 during the period after heating by the microwave. Preferably the predetermined time is greater than the time required to exchange the volume of air in said chamber.

The present invention concerns the visibility of the contents placed in the chamber, and in particular, the optical transparency of window 40, which according to the prior art generally provides only poor visibility of the oven contents. In the present invention, thin films of a material selected to exhibit both good optical transmission and electrical conductivity will be used to reflect microwave radiation, incident upon them from the chamber, back into the chamber. Furthermore, as part of the present invention, at least two of these films are disposed parallel to each other, and spaced apart by an odd multiple of a quarter-wavelength of the microwave radiation plus or minus 0.15 wavelength. The wavelength is defined in the interstice between the films. This forms a microwave etalon which effectively enhances the reflectance.

This concept is illustrated in FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the invention in which the transparent films are supported by a plurality of transparent panels forming an etalon 100. Etalon 100 is formed by a first transparent conductive film 120 and a second transparent conductive film 121 separated by an interstice 130. Interstice 130 exhibits a length 135 equal to a quarter wavelength of the microwave radiation in interstice 130. Length 135 is preferably determined by the formula

$\begin{array}{cc}L=\frac{c}{4f\sqrt{k}}& \mathrm{Eq}.4\end{array}$

where c is the speed of light in vacuum, f is the frequency of the microwave radiation, and k is the dielectric constant of the constituent material of interstice 130. The value of k for air is approximately unity. Transparent conductive films 120, 121 are preferably supported by a first transparent panel 110 and a second transparent panel 111, respectively. First transparent conductive film 120 is shown secured to a face of first transparent panel 110 facing interstice 130 and second film 121 is secured to a face of second transparent panel 111 facing interface 130, however this is not meant to be limiting in any way. In another embodiment (not shown) at least one of first transparent conductive film 120 and second transparent conductive film 121 are secured to a face of the respective transparent panel 110, 111 facing away from interstice 130. In one embodiment first and second transparent panels 110, 111 are comprised of glass. In other embodiment first and second transparent panels 110, 111 are comprised of a transparent polymer material such as polycarbonate or acrylic. Preferably etalon 100 is within a framework, preferably constructed of a metal or other conducting material, to prevent radiation leakage from the edges of interstice 130.

First and second transparent conductive films 120, 121 may be fabricated by a variety of techniques known to those skilled in the art including variants of chemical vapor deposition (CVD) such as spray pyrolysis or on-line deposition as part of the float glass manufacturing process, and variants of physical vapor deposition (PVD) including, for example and without limitation, evaporation, sputtering, or filtered vacuum arc deposition. In one embodiment the transparent conductive films are composed of a very thin layer of metal such as silver, and in another embodiment the transparent conductive films are composed of any one of various transparent conductive oxide (TCO) materials, including, without limitation: indium oxide; indium tin oxide (ITO); tin oxide; tin oxide doped with fluorine (F) or antimony (Sb); zinc oxide; and zinc oxide doped with aluminum (Al). TCO materials are conductive when the amount of oxygen is slightly less than the stoiciometric ratio, or if they are doped by an appropriate material, e.g. by F or Sb in the case of tin oxide, or Al in the case of zinc oxide. Transparent conductive films according the present invention typically exhibit a thicknesses ranging from about 5 nm to 5 μm. In some embodiments, it will be advantageous to fabricate the films from multiple layers of different materials. In one embodiment multi-layer transparent conducting films in accordance with the invention contain layers of a metal and layers of a TCO. In another embodiment multi-layer transparent conducting films in accordance with the invention comprise layers of a metal, layers of a TCO and layers of one or more transparent dielectric materials. The design of such “stacks” of layers is well known to those skilled in the art, and the design of the transparent conductive multi-layer film in accordance with the principle of the invention can be tailored to obtain different degrees of conductivity, optical transmission, and resistance to environmental degradation.

Transparent conductive optical films according to the present invention preferably exhibit a resistivity of less than 150Ω/□. Further preferably, transparent conductive optical films according to the present invention exhibit a resistivity of less than 94Ω/□. Further preferably, transparent conductive optical films according to the present invention exhibit a resistivity of between 2 and 20 Ω/□.

Generally the conductivity of thin transparent films is limited, and is characterized by the surface resistivity R, which as described above is usually expressed in terms of Ω/□. In principle, a microwave oven window could be constructed from a single panel supporting a single conductive thin film. The power transmission coefficient T of an infinitely wide single thin film to normally incident microwave plane wave is given by:

$\begin{array}{cc}T={\left(\frac{2R}{\eta +2R}\right)}^2& \mathrm{Eq}.5\end{array}$

where η is the wave impedance; η≈377Ω in air and in vacuum. It is desirable to minimize R in order to minimize the microwave transmission. In principle, as explained above, R can be reduced by increasing the thickness of the thin film. However, all conducting thin film materials have some degree of optical absorbance, and thus adding thickness decreases the visibility. Furthermore, the cost of applying a thin film generally increases with the thickness. Furthermore, thicker films have more of a tendency to delaminate from the substrate than thinner films.

In contrast, the present invention disposes two parallel thin films, exhibiting optical transparency and electrical conductivity in an etalon arrangement. Because of wave interference effects within interstice 130, the transmission of an etalon depends on the distance between the thin films, i.e. length 135, and is given by:

$\begin{array}{cc}T=\frac{\frac{R^2}{{\left(R+\eta \right)}^2}}{1+\frac{{{\eta }^2\left(\eta +2R\right)}^2{\sin }^2\beta L}{4{R^2\left(\eta +R\right)}^2}}& \mathrm{Eq}.6\end{array}$

where β is the wave propagation coefficient within interstice 130, and L is length 135 of interstice 130. It may be seen that at L=0, and also at βL=π, the microwave transmission is maximized and equivalent to that of a single film with double thickness, and thus having half of the R of each of the films comprising etalon 100. However when βL=nπ/2, and n=1, 3, 5 . . . , i.e. an odd integer number, the transmission is minimized. In the usual case of interest in which R<<η, Eq. 6 reduces to:

$\begin{array}{cc}{T}_{\min }\cong \frac{4R^4}{{\eta }^4}& \mathrm{Eq}.7\end{array}$

which shows a considerable advantage in a reduced transmission as compared with the case L=0 case, where

$\begin{array}{cc}T\cong \frac{R^2}{{\eta }^2}.& \mathrm{Eq}.8\end{array}$

FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8 present plots of the microwave power transmission as a function of length 135 of interstice 130, denoted L, assuming a microwave frequency of 2.45 GHz.

FIG. 4 is a graph of the calculated transmission coefficient of a window in accordance with the principle of the invention comprising two 100Ω/□ transparent films exhibiting air, or another material exhibiting a dielectric constant or relative permittivity of approximately 1, in the interstice between the films, the transmission coefficient plotted as a function of the distance between the films in which the x-axis represent distance in millimeters for interstice 130, the left y-axis represent the fraction of incident microwave flux transmitted and the right y-axis represents attenuation in dB. Curve 200 represents transmission of incident microwave radiation through etalon 100 as a function of length 135 and is to be read in cooperation with the left y-axis. Curve 210 represents attenuation of incident microwave radiation through etalon 100 in dB and is to be read in cooperation with the right y-axis.

It may be seen that it would be advantageous to dispose the films so that length 135 is approximately 30 mm, or one quarter of the wavelength (λ/4) of the microwave radiation through the material constituting interstice 130, to minimize the microwave transmission as shown by point 220. A similar result is found at point 230 and 240 representing odd integer multiples of λ/4. Furthermore, considerable advantage is still obtained if the spacing is not exactly βL=nπ/2, but only approximately this spacing. If for example spacing L is either 0.1λ or 0.4λ, as illustrated by points 250, 260 respectively, then the transmission is approximately −18 db, which is only 3.5 db above the optimal (i.e. minimal) value obtained at λ/4, while having a 4.5 db advantage over the 0-spacing or λ/2 cases, as shown at points 270.

FIG. 5 is a graph of the calculated transmission coefficient of a window in accordance with the principle of the invention comprising two 10Ω/58 transparent films exhibiting air, or another material exhibiting a dielectric constant or relative permittivity of approximately 1, in the interstice between the films, the transmission coefficient plotted as a function of the distance between the films in which the x-axis represent distance in millimeters for interstice 130, the left y-axis represent the fraction of incident microwave flux transmitted and the right y-axis represents attenuation in dB. Curve 300 represents transmission of incident microwave radiation through etalon 100 as a function of length 135 and is to be read in cooperation with the left y-axis. Curve 310 represents attenuation of incident microwave radiation through etalon 100 in dB and is to be read in cooperation with the right y-axis.

It may be seen that it would be advantageous to dispose the films so that length 135 is approximately 30 mm, or λ/4 of the microwave radiation through the material constituting interstice 130, to minimize the microwave transmission as shown by point 320. A similar result is found four at point 330 and 340 representing odd integer multiples of λ/4. Furthermore, considerable advantage is still obtained if the spacing is not exactly βL=nπ/2, but only approximately this spacing. If for example spacing L is either 0.1λ or 0.4λ, as illustrated by points 350, 360 respectively, then the transmission is −52.45 db, which is only 4.5 db above the optimal (i.e. minimal) value obtained at λ/4, as shown at point 320, while having a 19.7 db advantage over the 0-spacing, or λ/2 case, as shown at points 370.

FIG. 6 is a plot of the minimum and maximum microwave transmission factors, T_max and T_min, respectively curves 400, 410 for an etalon comprised of two films, each with resistivity R. T_max is representative of an etalon exhibiting a length 135 of βL=nπ/2, where n is an even integer (0, 2, 4, etc.). T_min, is representative of an etalon in accordance with a principle of the invention exhibiting a length 135 of βL=nπ/2, where n is an odd integer (0, 2, 4, etc.). The x-axis represents resistivity R in Ω/□ and the y-axis represents transmission in db of microwave radiation incident on an etalon composed of two conducting parallel films, as a function of their film resistance . Curve 400 illustrates that T_max is equal to that obtained from a single film with surface resistivity R/2 and curve 410 illustrates the increased attenuation attributable to the etalon.

There are various embodiments and variations of the principles stated above. Referring to FIG. 3, interstice 130 may be filled with a transparent material having a higher than unity dielectric constant. This would be advantageous in reducing the required quarter-wavelength spacing length 135, because the wavelength in such a material would be smaller than in air. Similarly, interstice 130 may be filled with a material having a controlled degree of absorption of microwave radiation, in order to further decrease the transmission. In one embodiment, interstice 130 is constituted of a transparent material which exhibits both an index of refraction greater than unity, and a controlled degree of microwave absorbance. In a further embodiment, the transparent material constituting interstice 130 comprises water. Water is particularly advantageous because it has a large microwave reflectance, a small microwave penetration depth, a large specific heat, and low cost.

FIG. 7 is a graph of the calculated transmission coefficient of a window in accordance with the principle of the invention comprising two 100Ω/□ transparent films exhibiting water in interstice 130 between the films, the transmission coefficient plotted as a function of the distance between the films in which the x-axis represent distance in millimeters for interstice 130, the left y-axis represent the fraction of incident microwave flux transmitted and the right y-axis represents attenuation in dB. Curve 500 represents transmission of incident microwave radiation through etalon 100 as a function of length 135 and is to be read in cooperation with the left y-axis. Curve 510 represents attenuation of incident microwave radiation through etalon 100 in dB and is to be read in cooperation with the right y-axis. For clarity the x-axis has been expanded to show the area between 0 and λ/4, with the wavelength defined in the material constituting interstice 130.

FIG. 8 is a graph of the calculated transmission coefficient of a window in accordance with the principle of the invention comprising two 10Ω/□ transparent films exhibiting water in interstice 130 between the films, the transmission coefficient plotted as a function of the distance between the films in which the x-axis represent distance in millimeters for interstice 130, the left y-axis represent the fraction of incident microwave flux transmitted and the right y-axis represents attenuation in dB. Curve 600 represents transmission of incident microwave radiation through etalon 100 as a function of length 135 and is to be read in cooperation with the left y-axis. Curve 610 represents attenuation of incident microwave radiation through etalon 100 in dB and is to be read in cooperation with the right y-axis. For clarity the x-axis has been expanded to show the area between 0 and λ/4, with the wavelength defined in the material constituting interstice 130.

The above calculations are presented to explain the effect of the etalon in simple terms. They neither take into account the effect of the panel materials, nor the effect of finite geometry, nor the fact that the incident radiation striking the window from inside a microwave oven will be distributed over a range of angles of incidence. The performance parameters of a particular device would depend on all of the above, which in general are dependent on the device design, and its operating conditions. The amount, composition and location of food placed within a microwave oven, for example, would affect the angular distribution and quantity of radiation reaching the window.

It is instructive to compare the curves of FIGS. 7 and 8 with the corresponding curves of FIGS. 4 and 5. It may be seen that considerable increased attenuation is obtained with a much smaller L when interstice 130 is filled with water as compared to air. In an exemplary embodiment, the water used to fill interstice 130 is treated to prevent microbial growth and to minimize corrosion of the thin films or other surfaces which the water contacts. In another embodiment interstice 130 is constituted of a solution of two liquids. In one further embodiment, one of the two liquids is constituted of water.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, thin transparent conductive films 120 and 121 are applied on the sides of transparent panels 110 and 111 facing interstice 130. This configuration is particularly advantageous in the event that the transparent conductive films are fragile, for they are thus protected from inadvertent mechanical damage due to handling and cleaning. Furthermore, interstice 130 may be filled with a benign atmosphere such as dry air or nitrogen or a noble gas, to prevent oxidation degradation of the thin films. In one embodiment a controlled amount of water vapor is added to the benign atmosphere.

In other embodiments (not shown), one or both of the thin films could be applied on the exterior side of the panels. This would be particularly beneficial if the thin film is harder than the panel, as it could then help protect the panel from scratching. Also, convective cooling of the films may be enhanced by this disposition. Furthermore, the total thickness of the window would then be smaller than the configuration shown in FIG. 3, since transparent panels add to length 135 of interstice 130, and because the dielectric constant of the panels is generally greater than unity, and hence the wavelength within the panels is less than in air.

In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 9, thin transparent conductive films 120 and 121 are be applied to both sides of a single panel 140, whose length 135 defines interstice 130 and is preferably chosen to be equal to approximately an odd integer multiple of a quarter wavelength of the microwave radiation in the panel material.

FIG. 10 is a high level schematic diagram showing an embodiment of the invention in which the interstice between the transparent films comprises wires. The absorbance of panel 140 is enhanced by dispersing therein thin wires 700 having a length L_w approximately equal to one half wavelength of the microwave radiation within the material, and oriented generally parallel to the plane of the thin transparent conductive films 120 and 121. Preferably the wires should be sufficiently thin so that they are virtually invisible, and preferably the resistance of each wire should be approximately equal to the radiation resistance of a half-wavelength dipole antenna within the material, given by R_w≈72Ω/√{square root over (k)}. The ideal diameter of such wires is given by:

$\begin{array}{cc}D=\frac{L_w}{\pi R_w{\sigma }_w\delta }& \mathrm{Eq}.9\end{array}$

where δ is the skin depth given by:

$\begin{array}{cc}\delta =\sqrt{\frac{2}{{\mathrm{\omega \sigma }}_w{\mu }_w}}& \mathrm{Eq}.10\end{array}$

and where ω is the angular frequency of the radiation, σ_w is the electrical conductivity of the wire material, and μ_w is the magnetic permeability of the wire. As an example, with 2.45 GHz radiation, and polycarbonate panel material with a dielectric constant of k=3.2, this can be obtained with copper wires with approximate length 34 mm and approximate diameter 3.5 μm. Ideally these wires should be dispersed within the panel with random orientation within the panel plane, and with a density approximately equal to the inverse of the ideal dipole antenna capture cross section, given by

$\frac{3{\lambda }_p^2}{8\pi },$

where λ_p is the wavelength in the panel, and thus in the present case, approximately 1800 wires per m² of panel area.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, thin transparent conducting films are applied to faces of glass panels facing interstice 130 as shown in FIG. 3, and the glass panels are mounted to a window frame such that thermally insulating material separates it from the frame. This minimizes thermal conduction from the glass panel to the frame, which is generally constructed of a metal which is a better thermal conductor than the glass panel. This reduces conductive cooling at the edges of the glass panel, and hence improves the homogeneity of the glass temperature, and thus reduces thermal stress in the glass, and the chance of cracking.

EXAMPLES

The invention described herein can be best appreciated by examination of several examples. A test set-up was constructed using a commercial domestic microwave oven (Graetz model mw 801E) as a basis. The door was modified such that the original window with its metal grid radiation attenuator was removed, and either a single 15.5×28 cm glass panel with a transparent conductive film, or two 15.5×28 cm glass panels with transparent conductive films, in the configuration described schematically in FIG. 3, with a spacing between the films of 30 mm, which is approximately equal to ¼ of the microwave wavelength, were mounted thereon. The edge of the door was sealed with metal foil to prevent stray radiation from the gap between the door and body of the oven. Tests were conducted by placing a beaker with a predetermined amount of water in the center of the oven, and operating the oven for a predetermined amount of time. The microwave radiation was measured with a radiation meter (EMF Inc., model number MD-2000) at various lateral locations 5 cm outside of the outer panel, as specified in various safety standards. In some cases the water temperature and the glass temperature were also measured.

Various coated glass samples, described in Table I, were tested with the set-up described above with the predetermined amount of water being 250 ml. It should be noted that the radiation leakage varied over the area of the window. The maximum radiation leakage for each sample is listed in Table I. It may be noted that none of the single pane samples met the 5 mW/cm² safety standard. Of the two-panel etalon samples, sample 1, with R=24Ω/□, did not meet the safety standard of 5 mW/cm², sample 2 was borderline, and samples 3 and 4 greatly surpassed the safety standard. configuration with samples 3 and 4.

Thus, the present embodiments enable a microwave oven window exhibiting improved visibility while attenuating microwave radiation, the window comprising a pair of spatially separated substantially transparent conductive films which reflect microwave radiation. The two transparent conductive films are optimally spatially separated by a predetermined distance equal to approximately ¼ of a wavelength of the microwave radiation in the interstice between the two films. In one embodiment, the window is comprised of two spatially separated parallel panes of glass, and one surface of each of the panes of glass is coated with a transparent conducting oxide film.

In one embodiment visibility is further improved by placing a gas discharge lamp within the oven cavity, such that it is energized by the microwave radiation produced during oven operation.

In another embodiment, water condensation on the window, which can occlude visibility and cause cracking, is reduced or prevented by providing effective ventilation, which continues for a pre-determined time after the application of microwave radiation is completed.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as are commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods are described herein.

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will prevail. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art.

Claims

1. An observation window for a microwave device exhibiting microwave radiation of a predetermined frequency, the observation window comprising two optically transparent conductive films, each of said transparent conductive films primarily reflecting incident microwave radiation, said two optically transparent conductive films being arranged substantially parallel and spatially separated from each other by a predetermined distance defining an interstice, said predetermined distance being equal to an odd integer multiple of one quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation of the predetermined frequency in the interstice between said transparent conductive films, said predetermined distance having a tolerance of plus or minus 0.15 of said wavelength in the interstice.

2. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein said interstice is at least partially constituted of one of a substantial vacuum, a gas, a liquid or a solid.

3. An observation window according to claim 1, where said two optically transparent films are applied to and supported by two transparent panels.

4. An observation window according to claim 3, where at least one of said two optically transparent films is applied to the side of one of the two panels which borders said interstice.

5. An observation window according to claim 1, further comprising a transparent panel, said two optically transparent films being applied to opposing sides of said transparent panel.

6. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said films contains a layer of a metal

7. An observation window according to claim 6, where said metal is silver.

8. An observation window according to claim 1, where at least one of said films comprises a layer of a transparent conducting oxide.

9. An observation window according to claim 8, wherein said layer of a transparent conducting oxide comprises one of indium tin oxide, tin oxide, zinc oxide and indium oxide.

10. An observation window according to claim 1, further comprising at least one supporting panel, said films being deposited on said at least one supporting panel by means of physical vapor deposition.

11. An observation window according to claim 1, further comprising at least one supporting panel, said films being deposited on said at least one supporting panel by means of chemical vapor deposition.

12. An observation window according to claim 1, where said interstice is at last partially filled with a material whose dielectric constant at the frequency of the microwave radiation is greater than unity.

13. An observation window according to claim 1, where said interstice is at least partially filled with a material which absorbs microwave radiation.

14. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein said interstice has disposed therein wires having a length of approximately one half of the microwave radiation wavelength in said interstice.

15. An observation window according to claim 14, where said wires are generally parallel to said optically transparent conductive films.

16. An observation window according to claim 14, wherein said wires are of a width so that they are not visible to the naked eye.

17. An observation window according to claim 14, wherein said wires have a resistance approximately equal to the radiation resistance of a half-wave dipole antenna in said interstice.

18. An observation window according to claim 1, further comprising at least one transparent panel and a frame, said two transparent conductive films each being secured to a face of said at least one transparent panel, said at least one transparent panels being supported by said frame.

19. An observation window according to claim 18, wherein said frame is constructed of a conducting material.

20. An observation window according to claim 1, where said interstice comprises water.

21. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein the surface resistivity of at least one of said two optically transparent conductive films is less than 150 Ω/□.

22. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein the surface resistivity of at least one of said two optically transparent conductive films is less than 94 Ω/□.

23. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein the surface resistivity of at least one of said two optically transparent conductive films is between 2 and 20 Ω/□.

24. An observation window according to claim 1, where the thickness of at least one of said two optically transparent conductive films is less than 5 μm.

25. An observation window according to claim 1, where the thickness of at least one of said two optically transparent conductive films is less than 1 μm.

26. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein said interstice is at least partially filled with one of dry air, dry nitrogen and a noble gas.

27. An observation window according to claim 26, where said interstice is further filled with a controlled amount of water vapor.

28. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein the odd integer is 1.

29. An observation window according to claim 1, wherein said interstice is at least partially filled with water.

30. An observation window according to claim 29, wherein said water comprises a substance to prevent microbial growth.

31. An observation window according to claim 29, wherein said water comprises a substance to minimize degradation of surrounding surfaces.

32. A microwave oven comprising: an observation window according to claim 1;a microwave generator;a chamber communicating with said microwave generator; anda gas discharge lamp mounted in said chamber.

33. A microwave oven according to claim 32, wherein said gas discharge lamp is energized by microwave energy supplied by said microwave generator.

34. A microwave oven comprising: an observation window according to claim 1;a microwave generator;a chamber communicating with said microwave generator;a ventilation duct;a fan; anda control unit,where said fan and ventilation duct are arranged to bring air from outside the chamber to inside the chamber, and said control unit turns on the fan approximately contemporaneously with the microwave generator, and turns off the fan at a predetermined time after the microwave generator is turned off.

35. A microwave oven according to claim 34, where said predetermined time is greater than the time required to exchange the volume of air in said chamber.

36. A microwave oven according to claim 34, where said fan and said ventilation duct are arranged so that air from the outside is first directed at the microwave generator, and then directed into the chamber.

37. A method of attenuating microwave radiation of a predetermined frequency while maintaining observability, comprising: providing two optically transparent conductive surfaces, each of said transparent conductive surfaces primarily reflecting incident microwave radiation; andarranging said provided two optically transparent conductive surfaces to form an etalon exhibiting a predetermined distance between said provided two optically transparent conductive surfaces defining an interstice,said predetermined distance being equal to an odd integer multiple of one quarter of the wavelength of the microwave radiation of the predetermined frequency in the interstice between said transparent conductive surfaces, said predetermined distance having a tolerance of plus or minus 0.15 of said wavelength in said interstice.

38. A method according to claim 37, wherein said provided two optically transparent conductive surfaces each comprise a film.

39. A method according to claim 37, wherein said providing comprises depositing a film on at least one supporting transparent panel.

40. A method according to claim 37, further comprising providing one of a gas and a liquid to fill said interstice.