English: A Compact Disc Zapped by perfectly safe use of a microwave to destroy the data contents permanently.

See Main Article: Electrical arc

Capturing the various shapes of the plasma path of an electrical arc has been demonstrated in a G4techTV technology tips video to destroy data on compact discs by placing the compact disc (up to about 4 or so) into a standard microwave oven on high for about 10-15 seconds. Each resulting disc art is unique --- no two discs are ever the same. As with any electrical arc application, common sense care should be observed in this process. The plastic compact disc media will get instantly hot in this process so waiting a few seconds after the etching process is required not to burn yourself. This applies in the same way to most microwaved food applications in general. The only undesired side effect of this process is a slight displeasing odor.