Frequency Dependence of Electromagnetic Coupling in Mars Soil Simulants

To aid water-extraction on Mars, EM coupling in Mars soils is investigated. We present new measurement data for thermal rise in Mars soil simulants exposed to 1.2W and 2.5W EM sources across a range of microwave frequencies. Results demonstrate a pulsatile relationship between frequency and thermal rise at both power levels, with peak heating of nearly +80K at 9 GHz. Related theory of dielectric heating and frequency response of dielectric materials is discussed.