Microwave Weapon (MW

In this article, I'll be going over the simple basics of a microwave weapon, since microwave energy is a huge topic. In its simplest form, any waveform transfer of energy starts with excited particles and ends with excited particles.

Inside a microwave, you'll find a large transformer (called a MOT or Microwave Oven Transformer), a large capacitor (rated around 1-2 kV; 1-100 uF), some high voltage diodes (for rectifying the alternating current from the transformer), a magnetron (the microwave emitter—I'll go into this later), and other electrical components for operating the main electronics.

In a Microwave Weapon (MW), the components can be as simple as a magnetron, a transformer, a diode, and a capacitor. Of course, the magnetron is certainly not that simple, consisting of several finely tuned "antennas" and other components. A basic illustration of how a magnetron works is pictured below: 

The round "1" is an electron source, the area between the power source and the antenna is the electron "accelerator", and the antenna itself is a simple way of "amplifying" and broadcasting the electron energy at a specific frequency. When these "tuned electrons" hit an object (specifically water or metal), they excite the molecules and generate heat, or in the case of metal, electrical energy. This is why microwaves are so dangerous compared to EMPs. Microwaves not only wreck havoc on electronics, but also can harm living beings.

This is where I must issue a WARNING!!! Microwaves are extremely dangerous. They can PERMANENTLY HARM YOU! If you feel even the slightest uncertainty towards the physics, dangers, and overall understanding of microwaves, DO NOT construct a microwave weapon. 

The Construction 

The best way to create a homemade microwave weapon is with an old microwave. If you want to upgrade to a more powerful, long range device, it's practically impossible unless you have a physics lab with extensive measuring equipment. However, an average microwave puts out 1,000-2,000 watts of energy, quite enough for destroying electronics.

Microwaves tend to "fly in all directions" unless they are directed. However, this is what the antenna does—directs the microwaves. In my experimentation, I discovered that a slight cone-shaped metal funnel has the best microwave-focusing ability. I was able to fry an old cell phone from up to 10 feet using three magnetrons and one funnel. This constitutes to about 6,000 watts (W) of directed energy, quite an accomplishment for 15 bucks spent at a thrift store. The circuit diagram for each individual magnetron looked something like this: 

On a basic level, the circuit consists of a transformer, a voltage doubler (diode and capacitor) and a magnetron. The three MOTs draw lots of power, so I had to hook everything into a thick, direct mains line. The magnetron itself looks like this: 

There are two large magnets that "direct" the electrons as they pass through the antenna. Also, the device has a heat sink to cool off. There are many other components and function aspects of the magnetron that are very complicated, but interesting. If you're curious, check out the information inthis article. 

Once finished, the entire apparatus should look something like this: 

The waveguide (or metal funnel cone) guides the microwaves in a linear direction, and allows them to be focused in a specific direction. Once directed, the microwaves can generate electrical current in any conductive metal they encounter. How much electricity they generate is determined by the distance from the magnetron and the power of the output. The microwave gun will also disrupt wireless communications (depending on their frequencies) and excite water molecules. 

Warnings

• MICROWAVES ARE VERY VERY DANGEROUS. DO NOT attempt to build this device unless you are very very confident in your understanding of the dangers, correct practice of safety, and legal concerns. 
• HIGH VOLTAGE! Microwave Transformers can easily kill you! Treat then with respect! Remember... Fear of Lightning. 
• DO NOT use this device on anything or anywhere where it violates FCC rules or any other legal constraint! 
• I am not responsible for any damage, harm, or legal trouble you get yourself into.
• In this series on weaponized lasers, I'll be exploring the function, operation, strength and building instructions for three basic laser weapons; CO2, Diode, and Flashlamp. These laser types are just a few of many, selected because of their simplicity and basic construction (depending on your experience).
• This article covers CO2 lasers, an extremely dangerous, powerful, invisible infrared laser. If you've read my other articles on electromagnetic weapons (see EMP weapons [part one, two and three] and microwave weapons), you know by now that directed energy is no longer a thing of science fiction, but rather a real-life application of physics. A simple representation of how a gas laser works: 

  

  The red line represents the path light takes within the amplifying medium. Simply put, light bounces back and forth gaining energy, then leaves the medium through the partial reflector.

  CO2 Lasers: Basic Theory

  CO2 lasers are gas lasers, consisting primarily of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium. When a glass tube is filled with these gasses and an electrical charge distributed through them, energy is released in the form of infrared light. The electrical charge that is released within the tube is high voltage, ranging from 10kV to a megavolt, depending on the size and application of the laser. In this case, it doesn't take much to create a lethal CO2 laser; maybe about four to five feet of glass tube and a decent power supply. CO2 laser tubes look something like this:

  

  Inside the glass tube, the CO2/nitrogen/hydrogen/helium mix travels through the tube, from gas input to output. A large amount of electricity runs from one end to the other as well, charging up the nitrogen atoms. This in turn excites the atoms of CO2. When the nitrogen encounters the "colder" helium, photons are released. These photons are contained within the amplification medium (mentioned earlier), and they begin to bounce back and forth within the tube, before leaving at a higher energy in the form of infrared light. The infrared light can easily burn through paper, and depending on the size of the laser, even solid steel. Here's a photo of a CO2 laser burning a piece of paper: 

  

  CO2 Laser Construction

  A simple CO2 laser consists of the laser tube and amplification medium, a fully reflective mirror at one end, and a partially reflective mirror at the other. The power supply generally consists of a high-voltage transformer, a control circuit, and a ballast.

  The CO2 laser tube is quite (if not impossible) to make at home using everyday tools and parts. However, these tubes are available online, and are quite inexpensive (around $1,000). The power supply itself can be made from a neon sign transformer or flyback transformer and many others, depending on the laser tube. Though the tube can be run directly from the transformer, it's a good idea to rectify the voltage with some diodes. The necessity of a ballast depends on the laser tube length and structure, for a smaller tube they are not critical (depending on performance needs). A neon sign transformer: 

  

  With respects to the gas transfer and pump assembly, its possible to use CO2 from dry ice, nitrogen from filtered air, and helium for balloons in the laser tube, but it's better to buy a pre-mixed CO2 laser mix. The vacuum pump can be harvested from an old refrigerator, or modified air compressor (most have a threaded air intake). 

  Bigger Is Better? 

  In terms of CO2 lasers, this is generally the case. The bigger the laser, the more power you'll get from it. However, there are compromises such as gas consumption and power supply issues. The opportunity for weaponization lies in the possibility of multiple, smaller laser tubes focused into one location (rather like the Death Star, only less dramatic and with no sudden beam-angle change).

  If you've ever melted or burned anything with a magnifying lens and the sun, you must know that even the smallest amount of light energy can be focused to be more powerful. The same goes for infrared light energy—imagine the potential of 30 to 40 lasers all aimed at a single point...

  

  Well, maybe not that dramatic. But still, the physical damage lies within the potential energy.