How the PYRO works

A special microwave-transparent ceramic muffle furnace allows microwave energy to pass through and rapidly raise the temperature of silicon carbide plates located inside the muffle.
Porous ceramic honeycomb frits built into the side walls of the muffle furnace allow a constant stream of air to pass over the sample crucibles. The combination of microwave "superheating" and the oxygen from the air flow results in a dramatic reduction of ashing times.

A high-precision thermocouple located in close proximity to the bottom of the ashing crucibles (and unaffected by the airflow) monitors temperatures inside the furnace. The thermocouple's signal is used as a feedback control mechanism to regulate microwave power output and maintain the user selected ramping/ashing temperature.

The PYRO has a wide choice of crucibles. In fact, the high-efficiency microwave energy coupling characteristics of the silicon carbide heating inserts allows the use of any type of crucible (metal, porcelain, quartz, etc.) within the microwave furnace.