Unit 7 Microwave Objective Study the characteristics of microwaves, such as wavelength, energy decay, and polarization.

Apparatus Microwave transmitter Microwave receiver Goniometer Base 3 L-type meter Reflector Polarizer Meter Set-up of Device L-type meter

Reflector

Polarizer

Goniometer

Transmitter Fig. 1.

Receiver

Principles

Fig. 2.

Fig. 3. Microwave is a kind of electromagnetic waves whose wavelength is among 10 m ~10-4 m (the wavelength of the microwave we use in this experiment is 2.85 cm.), and the propagation direction can be determined by Maxwells Equation. In vacuum, electric field E and magnetic field B of a microwave are perpendicular to each other, and they are also perpendicular to the direction of v v propagation; propagation direction is determined by E B , and its a transverse wave. As shown in Fig. 3, E oscillates in y-direction and B in z-direction. Therefore, the wave propagates in x-direction. We determine whether a wave is polarized or not by the direction of its E field. If the electric field E of a microwave oscillates in fixed direction, then we call it as a linear-polarized wave. Examples of linear-polarized waves are those transmitted from TV stations or broadcast stations. We can know the polarized direction of a linear-polarized wave by a polarizer. As shown in Fig. 4, microwave with the electric field parallel to the polarizer can pass through the polarizer; on contrary, for a microwave whose electric filed is perpendicular to the polarizer, it will be absorbed.
-2

Fig. 4. Component (of electric filed) that can pass the polarizer: E z = E 0 cos ( is the included angle of polarizer and electric field), and the intensity of a microwave is proportional to the square of electric field magnitude, i.e. I E 2 . Hence, the intensity of microwave passing through the polarizer can be expressed as I = I 0 cos 2 .

Instructions I. Intensity and Distance 1. Set up the devices as Fig. 5, and the angles of transmitter and receiver are both 0. Switch off the intensity multiplier on the receiver. Plug in the receiver and then switch the multiplier to 30X.

Fig. 5. 2. Adjust the distance R between transmitter and receiver at about 40 cm. (NOTE: R is measured from the effective points of emission and

3. 4. 5.

transmission signals (as shown in Fig. 6)). Adjust the position of the receiver back and forth to find a local maximum of the intensity meter. Tune the variable sensitivity switch and set the value to 1.0. Move the receiver backward smoothly. Measure the value of R and recorded value on the meter (Intensity) when you find a minimum value of intensity. Then move the receiver backward again until you find another maximum value, and measure the value of R and the value on the meter (Intensity). Repeat this step until you find 15 maxima and 15 minima of intensity.

Q1: Why should the receiver be moved backward but not forward? 6. Do the plot of intensity I versus R, and I versus R-2. 7. Find the average value of wavelength and the standard deviation. Q2: For a maximum or minimum value, a standing wave exists between the transmitter and the receiver. Is the distance between a maximum and an adjacent minimum ,

or

II.

Q3: According to the plots you made, what do you think the relation between I and R is? Moreover, do you think its a planar wave or a spherical wave? Lloyds Mirror 1. Set up the devices as Fig. 7, and R is suggested to be greater than 0.8 m. Be sure the Receiver and Transmitter are equidistant from the center of the Goniometer degree plate and that the horns are directly facing each other. Measure the distance d as Fig. 7 showed (better between 40 cm to 45 cm).

2.

Slide the mirror smoothly away from the Goniometer platform, and observe the change in the intensity meter. Record the value of h when local maxima and minima appears (6 maxima and 6 minima).

Q4: Why does the intensity changes with the position of the mirror? 3. Use d, h, and the concept of optical path difference to calculate the average value of and the standard deviation. Compare the result with that in step I. 4. Change the value of d and repeat step 3 and 4 twice (Three different d).

Fig. 7.

Fig. 8.
Q5: Why should the distance R better be greater than 0.8 m? Q6: Why should the receiver and transmitter be at the same distance from the center of the Goniometer?

III. Polarization

Fig. 9. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Fig. 10.

Set up the devices as Fig. 9, and R is about 60 cm. Note that the angle at the back of transmitter and receiver are both 0. Adjust the position of receiver slightly to find the local maximum. Tune the variable sensitivity switch and set the value to 1.0.
Unfasten the screw in the back of the transmitter and then adjust the angle from -90 to 90, 10 for each step, and record each value on the receiver intensity meter. Do the plot of intensity versus and cosn.(determine the value of n by

5.

yourself. n=1, 2 ,4 are suggested)

Q7: What is the relation between the recorded value on the receiver and ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6.

As shown in Fig. 10, place a polarizer in the middle of the receiver and transmitter. Note that both the angles at the back of transmitter and receiver should be zero.

7. 8. 9. 10.

Adjust the fringes of the polarizer to horizontal. Adjust the position of the receiver slightly to find a local maximum. Tune the variable sensitivity switch and set the value to 1.0. Unfasten both screws on the receiver and transmitter. Then adjust the angles from -90 to 90, 10 for each step, record the value on the intensity meter. (NOTE: The receiver and transmitter are parallel ALL THE TIME when you change the angles.) 11. Do the plot of intensity versus and cosn.(Determine the value of n by yourself. n=1, 2, 4 are suggested.)

Q8: What is the relation between the recorded value on the receiver and ? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. Rotate the angle at the back of transmitter back to 0, and the receivers to 90. 13. Rotate the polarizer to horizontal, 45, and vertical, and record each of the value on the intensity meter.

Q9: Try to explain your data and compare it to the result in Q8. Q10: From the above experiment, can you know the direction of polarization? Remarks 1. Do not look directly into the transmitter! 2. The distance of transmitter and receiver should not be shorter than 30 cm. Switch the variable sensitivity to the left-end before you plug in the power. And note that whether the value on the meter is greater than 1.0 to prevent damage of the device. 3. Do not stand in front of the devices because your body may cause the reflection

of microwave. You had better stand in back of the transmitter or receiver, and do not place any extra objects (especially metal items) on the table in case of reflection of microwave.