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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

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Last Updated: Feb 5, 2025• Article History

Key People:

William Webster Hansen

Ernst Weber

Robert H. Dicke

Related Topics:

radar

cosmic microwave background

maser

microwave oven

klystron

On the Web:

University of Notre Dame - thinkND - Hitchcock, "Rear Window" (film) (Feb. 05, 2025)

Are microwaves actually safe?

Are microwaves actually safe?Using chemistry to understand the safety of microwave ovens.

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microwave, electromagnetic radiation having a frequency within the range of 1 gigahertz to 1 terahertz (109–1012 cycles per second) and a wavelength between 1 mm and 1 m.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Michele Metych.