Graphene-based microwave coaxial antenna for microwave ablation: thermal analysis

In this study, the problem of backward heating in microwave ablation technique is examined and an electromagnetic solution based on the use of high impedance graphene material is presented for its mitigation. In this context, a one-atom-thick graphene layer is added on the coaxial double slot antenna. In addition to the electromagnetic behavior, thermal effects caused by the graphene-covered antenna are emphasized. The graphene's conductivity being highly dependent on its chemical potential and the relaxation time, a parametric study is performed to determine a range of tolerances within which the graphene-coated antenna outperform a typical graphene-free antenna. The range of values is found to be 0 < μc < 0.5 eV and τ < 0.4 ps, for the chemical potential and the relaxation time, respectively. The backward heating problem being prevented, the ablation region is ensured to be spherical around the tip of the antenna. Effects of the graphene layer to the heat dissipation in the tissue, the necrotic tissue ratio (damage to the cancerous tissue of the caused by electromagnetic energy), and the treatment time using the coaxial double slot antenna were examined. The results show that the heat dissipation is concentrated around the slots (region of cancerous tissue) and a higher necrotic tissue ratio can be achieved with a graphene-covered double slot antenna in a shorter time.