Microwave heating unit and method

A microwave heating unit, comprising:

• (i) a sample holding and exposing unit configured to receive and hold a sample in a holding and exposing space and to expose the sample to a microwave radiation field within the holding and exposing space;
• (ii) a microwave radiation unit comprising a microwave radiation source or radiation signal source, the microwave radiation unit being configured to supply the microwave radiation field and/or an underlying microwave radiation signal to the holding and exposing space;
• and
• (iii) an impedance matching unit configured to achieve impedance matching between the holding and exposing space and the underlying microwave radiation signal and/or the microwave radiation field, the impedance matching unit comprising electrodes configured for generating the microwave radiation field upon receipt of the underlying microwave radiation signal,
• wherein the microwave heating unit is configured for heating an aerosol-forming sample due to microwave absorption by a material of the sample thereby releasing by or from the sample upon heating the sample at least one aerosol, in or as an inhalation, vaporizer, and/or smoking product or device and/or for pulmonary drug delivery,
• wherein the sample holding and exposing unit comprises a sample holder defining and forming the holding and exposing space within an interior, with first and second holding portions optionally separated by a slit structure, and
• wherein the first and the second holding portions simultaneously serve as first and second electrodes, respectively.