Modal analysis

Abstract

Apparatus for applying electromagnetic energy at a frequency or frequencies in a frequency range of 1 MHz-100 GHz to an object in a cavity. The apparatus includes a source of electromagnetic energy and a processor configured to acquire information indicative of a spatial location of the object in the cavity, identify a first set of frequency and phase values, the first set being associated with a first field pattern having a first high-intensity region corresponding to a first area of the spatial location of the object, identify a second set of frequency and phase values, the second set being associated with a second field pattern having a second high-intensity region corresponding to a second area of the spatial location of the object, wherein the first area is different from the second area and control the source, in accordance with the first and second sets of frequency and phase values, to apply electromagnetic energy to the first and second areas.

1 . An apparatus for applying electromagnetic energy at a frequency or frequencies in a frequency range of 1 MHz-100 GHz to an object in a cavity, the apparatus comprising:
 a source of electromagnetic energy; and   a processor configured to:
 acquire information indicative of a spatial location of the object in the cavity; 
 identify a first set of frequency and phase values, the first set being associated with a first field pattern having a first high-intensity region corresponding to a first area of the spatial location of the object; 
 identify a second set of frequency and phase values, the second set being associated with a second field pattern having a second high-intensity region corresponding to a second area of the spatial location of the object, wherein the first area is different from the second area; and 
 control the source, in accordance with the first and second sets of frequency and phase values, to apply electromagnetic energy to the first and second areas. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to control the source to apply electromagnetic energy to either the first area or the second area. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to receive information indicative of absorbed energy in the first and second areas. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second field patterns have different respective weights. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source is coupled to a plurality of radiating elements and is configured to supply energy with differing amplitudes simultaneously to at least two radiating elements of the plurality of radiating elements. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the source is configured to supply electromagnetic energy through a plurality of radiating elements and the processor is configured to set phase differences between waves simultaneously emitted by two radiating elements. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to control the source so that energy absorbed in the first area is substantially the same as the energy absorbed in the second area. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the information indicative of a spatial location of the object is input from a user. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface connected to the processor for reading a machine-readable tag on the object. 
     
     
         10 . A method for applying electromagnetic energy at a frequency or frequencies in a frequency range of 1 MHz-100 GHz to an object in a cavity, the method comprising:
 generating electromagnetic energy with a source; and   utilizing a processor to regulate the source, said processor being configured to:
 acquire information indicative of a spatial location of the object in the cavity; 
 identify a first set of frequency and phase values, the first set being associated with a first field pattern having a first high-intensity region corresponding to a first area of the spatial location of the object; 
 identify a second set of frequency and phase values, the second set being associated with a second field pattern having a second high-intensity region corresponding to a second area of the spatial location of the object, wherein the first area is different from the second area; and 
 control the source, in accordance with the first and second sets of frequency and phase values, to apply electromagnetic energy to the first and second areas. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to receive information indicative of absorbed energy in the first and second areas. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising controlling the source so that energy absorbed in the first area is substantially the same as the energy absorbed in the second area. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second field patterns have with different weights. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the source is coupled to a plurality of radiating elements and is configured to supply energy with differing amplitudes simultaneously to at least two radiating elements of the plurality of radiating elements. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the source is configured to supply electromagnetic energy through a plurality of radiating elements and the processor is configured to set phase differences between waves simultaneously emitted by two radiating elements. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the processor is configured to control the source so that energy absorbed in the first area is substantially the same as the energy absorbed in the second area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the information indicative of a spatial location of the object is input from a user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising an interface connected to the processor for reading a readable machine-readable tag on the object. 
     
     
         19 . A method for applying electromagnetic energy at a frequency or frequencies in a frequency range of 1 MHz-100 GHz to an object in a cavity, the method comprising:
 generating electromagnetic energy with a source;   acquiring with a processor information indicative of a spatial location of the object in the cavity;   identifying a first set of frequency and phase values, the first set being associated with a first field pattern having a first high-intensity region corresponding to a first area of the spatial location of the object;   identifying a second set of frequency and phase values, the second set being associated with a second field pattern having a second high-intensity region corresponding to a second area of the spatial location of the object, wherein the first area is different from the second area; and   controlling the source, in accordance with the first and second sets of frequency and phase values, to apply electromagnetic energy to the first and second areas.