Spectroscopy of Plasma Produced in a Kitchen Microwave Oven

Abstract

Conducting thin rods with a length of half the wavelength of microwaves produced by the kitchen microwave oven, such as dress pins or mechanical pencil leads, absorb microwaves efficiently. Electrons in rods accelerated by microwaves are emitted from both ends of the rods, collide with surrounding gas molecules, and create plasma. Spectra with a single bright emission line at a wavelength of about 587 nm in the visual light range were observed, regardless of the material the rod was made from.