Microwave radiation force on a parallel-plate resonator

A simulation method is proposed and tested in order to determine the radiation force on metal targets whose size is comparable to wavelength. The method is based on the method of moments solution of the electric-field integral equation, accurate calculation of the near field, and removal of the self-interaction terms responsible for the pinch effect. The method is used to determine the local force distribution for a parallel-plate metal resonator. It is observed that, at the resonance, the individual metal plates may experience large force densities, despite the fact that the net radiation force on the resonator still remains very small. A potential use of this observation is discussed, which is directed toward possible excitation of acoustic vibrations. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.