The electron‐beam furnace: A new facility for materials science research

• Published in: Review of scientific instruments 1993-12, Vol.64 (12), p.3620-3626
• Main Authors: Stenzel, Ch, Braun, M., Krass, C., Mayer, H.‐G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Exact sciences and technology; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Other topics in instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Physics
• ISSN: 0034-6748; 1089-7623
• DOI: 10.1063/1.1144239

The development and the test results of an electron‐beam furnace for the later utilization in a microgravitational environment are reported. By just varying the deflection pattern by means of the electron‐optical components two reference profiles, a gradient profile with a maximum slope of 220 K/cm, and a hot zone profile with a zone temperature of 1520 K could be established and maintained. A beam power of 550 W had to be applied to a sample made of massive Ta for the gradient profile, for creating a hot zone profile an input power of only 250 W onto a sample with a ceramic core was sufficient. A continuous pyrometric measurement system with a high local and time resolution has been realized. By temperature sensing of the sample with this system an intrinsic feature of electron‐beam heating could be directly observed, the sharply localized energy deposition at the sample surface.