Re:Ask HN: Does your microwave interfere with Bluetooth? Min...
by londons_explore on Thursday October 05, 2023 @10:58PM
(#37786721)
But the gap around the door might only be millimeters wide, but it is 30cm or more long.
It is "both* dimensions that must be a long way below the wavelength to keep microwaves in.
Instead the door seal uses a technique called a quarter wave choke. It relies on reflecting back any microwaves wanting to escape, and by making incoming and reflected waves perfectly cancel, no power is transmitted.
As OP said, even a small amount of soup dripped onto the seal and your microwaves will all start escaping.
It is "both* dimensions that must be a long way below the wavelength to keep microwaves in.
Instead the door seal uses a technique called a quarter wave choke. It relies on reflecting back any microwaves wanting to escape, and by making incoming and reflected waves perfectly cancel, no power is transmitted.
As OP said, even a small amount of soup dripped onto the seal and your microwaves will all start escaping.