Near-field microwave heating system and method

A microwave heating system comprising:

• a variable-frequency microwave source characterized by a center frequency and a usable bandwidth about said center frequency;
• a waveguide with an input side connected to said source and an output side terminating in a launch structure, said launch structure comprising a rectangular horn having a first and a second lateral dimension, with at least one of said first and second lateral dimensions being larger than the wavelength of the microwave energy at the frequency being applied;
• a compliant, microwave-attenuating structure around the periphery of said launch structure to sealably engage the surface of a workpiece, said workpiece having at least one polymer component to be cured;
• and,
• a means for pressing said workpiece against said microwave-attenuating structure so that substantially all of said polymer component to be cured lies within one wavelength of said launch structure at the frequency being applied, and said compliant microwave-attenuatinq structure is compressed against said workpiece sufficiently to effectively attenuate microwave leakage.