Microwave electromagnetic field affects the corona discharge pattern of water

We investigated the influence of microwave irradiation (cw; 10 GHz) on wate r by means of corona discharge electrography. Water drops from previously i rradiated and control water were exposed to a high-voltage, highfrequency e lectric field on a photographic plate. Electrographs of the corona discharg e around control and irradiated drops were taken simultaneously, and the im ages obtained were analyzed by computer. Several parameters relating to the luminosity, shape, and streamers of the image were calculated and tested n onparametrically. The results show a distinct, nonlinear behavior of corona discharge patterns (both radially and angularly) in water drops exposed to different microwave power densities (5 x 10(-1)-5 x 10(-8) mWcm(-2)).