Computational verification of the concept of microwave drilling towards increasing its safety

The paper reports an original and independent verification of the concept of microwave drilling recently proposed in a US patent. While its design has been based on a simplified analytical model and verified by a 1D and 2D computer simulation, an accurate numerical 3D electromagnetic analysis is applied herein. It confirms the underlying idea of creation of a highly localised hot spot and thus proves the microwave drill principle in general. However, a strong leakage is also revealed, which may limit practical use of the drill without appropriate shielding. Simple and technologically feasible measures for reducing this leakage are subsequently analysed.