Comparison of microwave and millimeter-wave materials processing

From the point of view of standard microwave technology (915 MHz, 2.45 GHz), the need for using higher frequencies like 24 GHz (ISM frequency) for industrial applications has to be carefully verified with respect to special physical/engineering advantages or to limits the standard microwave technology meets for the specific problem. Cost evaluation of industrial mm-wave systems have to be competitive, not only to conventional heating, but also to standard microwave solutions. An important point here is the availability of appropriate sources in power, size and efficiency. The present paper tries for a comparison of novel mm-wave system technology with standard microwave technology with respect to processing/heating of materials.