The experiment relies upon the interaction between optically-generated charge carriers and microwave frequency electromagnetic radiation. The most common approach is to use a resonant cavity. An oscillating voltage is produced using a signal generator such as a voltage controlled oscillator or a Gunn diode. The oscillating current is incident on an antenna, resulting in the emission of microwaves of the same frequency. These microwaves are then directed into a resonant cavity. Because they can transmit microwaves with lower loss than cables, metallic waveguides are often used to form the circuit. With the appropriate cavity dimensions and microwave frequency, a standing wave can be formed with 1 full wavelength filing the cavity.    
The sample to be studied is placed at a maximum of the electric field component of the standing wave. Because metals act as cavity walls, the sample needs to have a relatively low free carrier concentration in the dark to be measurable. TRMC is hence best suited to the study of intrinsic or lightly doped semiconductors. Electrons and hole are generated by illuminating the sample with above band gap optical photons. Optical access to the sample is provided by a cavity wall which is both electrically conducting and optically transparent; for example a metallic grating or a transparent conducting oxide.      
The photo-generated charge carriers move under the influence of the electric field component of the standing wave, resulting in a change in intensity of microwaves that leave the cavity. The intensity of microwaves out of the cavity is measured as a function of time using an appropriate detector and an oscilloscope. Knowledge of the properties of the cavity can be used to evaluate photoconductance from changes in microwave intensity.