Abstract: An apparatus includes a transparent chamber having a space therein for containing an object while heating under vacuum, at least one directed energy source configured to direct energy to heat the object positioned within the space of the transparent chamber, a cap on the transparent chamber, and a connection between the transparent chamber and at least one vacuum for creating a vacuum within the transparent chamber. The apparatus may further include at least one temperature sensor to measure temperature of the object. The apparatus may further include a control system, the control system operatively connected to the at least one temperature sensor and the at least one directed energy source and wherein the control system is a closed loop system to adjust laser power to provide more or less energy to heat or maintain the temperature of the object.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and process directed to enabling a VIM induction furnace to be removed from a vacuum chamber while the induction furnace is still in a heated state without damaging the induction furnace. The induction furnace can include a power port that can be easily switched to an auxiliary cooling source to enable the induction furnace to be removed from the vacuum chamber while the induction furnace is still in a heated state.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a graphite crucible for electromagnetic induction-based silicon melting and an apparatus for silicon melting/refining using the same, which performs a melting operation by a combination of indirect melting and direct melting. The crucible is formed of a graphite material and includes a cylindrical body having an open upper part through which a silicon raw material is charged into the crucible, and an outer wall surrounded by an induction coil, wherein a plurality of slits are vertically formed through the outer wall and an inner wall of the crucible such that an electromagnetic force created by an electric current flowing in the induction coil acts toward an inner center of the crucible to prevent a silicon melt from contacting the inner wall of the crucible.

Abstract: Apparatus and process for heating and melting a material in a susceptor vessel are provided wherein phase synchronized ac voltage is supplied from a separate power source to each one of at least two induction coils in separate zones around the vessel. Power magnitude from each source to an induction coil is controlled by pulse width control of the source's output voltage. Output frequency from each source is either fixed or variable based upon the electrically conductive state of the material. Optional electromagnetic stirring is achieved by establishing a phase shift between the voltage outputs of the power supplies after the material in the susceptor vessel has melted.

Abstract: An integrated process control installation is provided for electric induction metal melting furnaces with variable furnace states. The integrated process control installation can include supporting charge delivery and slag removal installations, and furnace process operations for process control of melting metal in the furnaces. The variable furnace states, supporting installations, and furnace process operations are controlled by a supporting processing installation, while a robotic apparatus performs the furnace process operations.

Abstract: A resonant power supply (900) for use with high inductive loads includes an input rectifier (903) and a switching inverter formed using a plurality of parallel connected half bridge networks for switching the voltage provided from the input rectifier (903). A transformer (927) is used whose primary is connected to the switching inverter and whose secondary is connected to load such as a crucible (931). A capacitor (929) is used in series with the primary of the transformer (927) for resonating the inductance in the secondary circuit at the frequency of the switching inverter to provide maximum power transfer to the crucible (931).

Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus (1) for cleaning welding torches (5), comprising at least two coils (4, 11) and an opening (3) in order to introduce the welding torch (5) for the electromagnetic cleaning thereof, a supply device (7) connected to the coils (4, 11), and optionally an apparatus for applying a cleaning fluid to the tip of the welding torch (5), wherein preferably all components are disposed in a common housing (2) and regulated by a controller (8), and to a corresponding method for cleaning welding torches (5). In order to increase the cleaning quality and the cleaning range, according to the invention the coils (4, 11) can be supplied independently of each other with electrical energy by the supply device (7) for the purpose of cleaning the welding torch (5), and a cooling apparatus (14) is provided for cooling the coils (4, 11).

Abstract: A melting furnace including a sealed container containing an inert gas atmosphere, a crucible that is located inside the sealed container and melts a raw material by induction heating, and a crucible cooling mechanism. The crucible cooling mechanism includes a pipe portion that includes an intake that communicates with the sealed container and enables the inert gas to be discharged from the sealed container, and an outlet that enables the inert gas to be introduced into the sealed container, a heat exchange portion that is located partway along the pipe portion, and a gas transporting portion that is located partway along the pipe portion.

Abstract: The invention described herein pertains generally to a more efficient and cost-effective method and apparatus for: (1) coupling of microwave energy from a microwave generator or plurality of microwave generators into an integral set of applicators; (2) extraction and separation of organic compounds from a mixture of organic and inorganic compounds; and (3) recovery and conversion of the organic compounds to gaseous and liquid fuels. The apparatus described in this invention result in improved microwave absorption within the mixture flowing through the applicators by increasing residence time within the applicators, resulting in a higher temperature within the material. The higher temperature lowers the viscosity of the solution, but also provides a limited reduction of the combination of complex chain and aromatic organic compounds to allow recovery of syngas and fuel oil.

Abstract: An induction furnace includes a melting induction coil for inductively heating a pair of susceptors for melting particulate material falling freely in a free fall zone between the susceptors. A feeder having a rotatable hollow shaft with fingers extending therefrom breaks up the material, which falls onto a vibrating dispersion plate and then into the free fall zone. A preheating induction coil inductively heats a susceptor which radiates heat to particulate material moving over the dispersion plate. An adjustable gap between the feeder and dispersion plate controls material flow. A funnel collects falling molten material and directs it through a nozzle into a mold. Induction coils control melting within the funnel. One induction coil heats the nozzle and may be controlled to allow the nozzle to cool sufficiently to form a solid plug in the nozzle whereby molten material pools above the plug.

Abstract: An improved melting furnace including a crucible and a plurality of parallel conductors of identical height surrounding the crucible having at least one descending portion (9) and one ascending portion (10). The benefit from this arrangement is that the conductors all have a portion located at each heating height which guarantees density uniformity of the currents flowing in the conductors even if the load of the crucible has superimposed regions for which the electrical resistivity is different.

Abstract: An analytical induction furnace and method for combusting conductive sample materials (500) utilizing a crucible for holding a sample within the induction furnace. Less than one gram of accelerator material is then inserted into the crucible with the sample and the induction furnace is activated for a predetermined time period (503) for thoroughly combusting the sample and accelerator. In some instances, no accelerator is required with the sample at frequencies of approximately 4.5 MHz. The invention provides for the induction furnace that is actuated in an RF frequency range between 2-9 MHz with little to no accelerator for thoroughly melting the sample for use in an analytical instrument.

Abstract: The introduction of spray formed metals into critical applications in the aircraft engine and power generation industries has been hampered by the possibility of erosion of oxide particles from a crucible lining or pouring nozzle in conventional spray forming equipment. These oxide particles may become inclusions that limit low-cycle fatigue life of parts. Use of a cold-walled induction guide (CIG) with an electrical insulation layer between copper CIG elements and the liquid metal offers a means of delivering ceramic-free alloys to a spray system with improved efficiency. CIG design options facilitated by a new oven-brazed fabrication technique resolve induction coil environmental isolation issues, correct thermal strain tolerance problems, facilitate dual frequency induction designs, allow improved electrical coupling efficiency and thermal efficiency, result in improved melt flow initiation, and facilitate disassembly without damage from the solidified melt.

Abstract: A combustion tube comprises a generally cylindrical body with an outwardly extending annular tube stop spaced from one end of the combustion tube for engaging a combustion tube mounting assembly and fixing the tube in a precise position. Near the opposite end of the tube is an enlarged opening for receiving an upper seal assembly of a combustion furnace with the outer annular shoulder of the upper end of the tube having a rolled edge to facilitate the insertion of the tube through the seal in the upper seal assembly of the furnace. The combustion tube is made of quartz glass to withstand the temperatures encountered in the furnace. The combustion tube is specifically designed and adapted to be precisely positioned in an induction furnace with an easy tube removal system for the furnace.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a novel electric induction furnace design that enables the removal of zinc-containing filter dust (FD) originating from the production of steel (alloy or non-alloy) and the production of cast iron with galvanized steel scrap, using a novel process based on the carbothermal reduction of the metal oxides present in the FD, performed at the temperature at which the materials are melted inside the electric induction furnace. The electric induction furnace of the invention incorporates an electric arc or plasma beam generator to melt all the inorganic non-metallic material. The incorporation of this generator also enables the use of large volumes of molten slag.

Abstract: A melting furnace of the present invention includes a sealed container containing an inert gas atmosphere, a crucible that is located inside the sealed container and melts a raw material by induction heating, and a crucible cooling mechanism. The crucible cooling mechanism includes a pipe portion that includes an intake that communicates with the sealed container and enables the inert gas to be discharged from the sealed container, and an outlet that enables the inert gas to be introduced into the sealed container, a heat exchange portion that is located partway along the pipe portion, and a gas transporting portion that is located partway along the pipe portion.

Abstract: A combustion tube mounting system releasably mounts a combustion tube to an aperture in the floor of a furnace housing. The combustion tube has a base assembly with a cam and can be manually or automatically unlocked by cam pins in the floor for selectively engaging the cam for lowering the combustion tube from the floor of the furnace. When a new combustion tube is placed on the lower seal assembly and raised, it automatically aligns and engages the upper furnace seal and engages cams on the floor of the furnace housing which lock the combustion tube in place as it is introduced into the furnace.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for damping the induced fluid flow, particularly in the region of the base plate, in an electrically conductive material that is heated and melted in a cold crucible induction furnace. Damping is accomplished by establishing a dc magnetic field such that flow of the electrically conductive liquid metal in that dc magnetic field would induce eddy currents in the liquid metal which would generate forces that tend to oppose the flow. The dc magnetic field may be established by dc current flow in the ac induction coil that induces current in the material, dc current flow in a separate dc coil, or coils, constructed to prevent excessive induced losses, by discrete magnets, or a combination of any of the three prior methods.

Abstract: High-temperature furnace (10) for processing carbon-containing material in an inner zone (8) at a high-temperature. The furnace (10) comprises an in-feed side (20) for continuously feeding said carbon-containing material into said inner zone (8) and an output side (30) where a Syngas is provided. The infeed side (20) comprises an infeed section (23) providing for an atmosphere being essentially oxygen-free. There is gas inlet (22.1) at the infeed section (23) which is connected to the output side (30) for feeding some of said Syngas into said infeed section (23).

Abstract: An induction furnace includes a melting induction coil for inductively heating a pair of susceptors for melting particulate material falling freely in a free fall zone between the susceptors. A feeder having a rotatable hollow shaft with fingers extending therefrom breaks up the material, which falls onto a vibrating dispersion plate and then into the free fall zone. A preheating induction coil inductively heats a susceptor which radiates heat to particulate material moving over the dispersion plate. An adjustable gap between the feeder and dispersion plate controls material flow. A funnel collects falling molten material and directs it through a nozzle into a mold. Induction coils control melting within the funnel. One induction coil heats the nozzle and may be controlled to allow the nozzle to cool sufficiently to form a solid plug in the nozzle whereby molten material pools above the plug.

Abstract: A molten material can be heated, melted and directly solidified in a single vessel. Induction heating and melting of the molten material is achieved by magnetically coupling the field produced by current flow in a plurality of induction coils surrounding the vessel with either the molten material in the vessel, or a susceptor surrounding molten material in the vessel. Current flow is selectively removed from the plurality of induction coils, and a cooling medium surrounding the vessel, such as water flowing through hollow induction coils, solidifies the molten metal into a highly purified crystalline solid.

Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for damping the induced fluid flow, particularly in the region of the base plate, in an electrically conductive material that is heated and melted in a cold crucible induction furnace. Damping is accomplished by establishing a dc magnetic field such that flow of the electrically conductive liquid metal in that dc magnetic field would induce eddy currents in the liquid metal which would generate forces that tend to oppose the flow. The dc magnetic field may be established by dc current flow in the ac induction coil that induces current in the material, dc current flow in a separate dc coil, or coils, constructed to prevent excessive induced losses, by discrete magnets, or a combination of any of the three prior methods. The dc magnetic field may also be established by dc current flow in one or more dc coils disposed around a magnetic pole piece located below the base of the furnace.

Abstract: Methods of operation of an induction melter include providing material within a cooled crucible proximate an inductor. A desired electromagnetic flux skin depth for heating the material within the crucible may be selected, and a frequency of an alternating current for energizing the inductor and for producing the desired skin depth may be selected. The alternating current frequency may be adjusted after energizing the inductor to maintain the desired electromagnetic flux skin depth. The desired skin depth may be substantially maintained as the temperature of the material varies. An induction heating apparatus includes a sensor configured to detect changes in at least one physical characteristic of a material to be heated in a crucible, and a controller configured for selectively varying a frequency of an alternating current for energizing an inductor at least partially in response to changes in the physical characteristic to be detected by the sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for changing glass compositions in continuously operated melting installations which has a significantly shortened melt changeover time and therefore lower costs and in which the glass quality is not adversely affected.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electromagnetic continuous casting apparatus for a material having a low electric conductivity. The casting apparatus includes a crucible having a vertical axis. The crucible comprises an upper hot crucible and a lower cold crucible. The crucible is surrounded with an induction coil. The hot crucible is formed of a non-metallic material having a high electric conductivity and is not water-cooled. The cold crucible has a cooling structure and is formed of a metallic material having a high thermal conductivity and a high electric conductivity.

Abstract: An induction heating and melting system uses a crucible formed from a material that has a high electrical resistivity or high magnetic permeability, and one or more inductor coils formed from a wound cable consisting of multiple individually insulated copper conductors to form an induction furnace that, along with its associated power supply, provides a compact design. The system components are air-cooled; no water-cooling is required. The crucible may alternatively be shaped as a tunnel or enclosed furnace.

Abstract: An induction heating and melting system uses a crucible formed from a material that has a high electrical resistivity or high magnetic permeability, and one or more inductor coils formed from a wound cable consisting of multiple individually insulated copper conductors to form an induction furnace that, along with its associated power supply, provides a compact design. The system components are air-cooled; no water-cooling is required. The crucible may alternatively be shaped as a tunnel or enclosed furnace.

Abstract: An induction melting furnace comprises a melt chamber for heating a melt either directly by magnetic induction, or indirectly by magnetic induction heating of the melt chamber, or a combination of the two, and a meter chamber connected to the melt chamber for providing a metered discharge of the melt from the furnace. A gas can be injected into the furnace to provide a blanket over the surface of the melt in the melt chamber and a pressurized flush of the metered discharge of the melt from the meter chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for melting or refining glass or glass ceramics. According to the invention, a device of this type is provided with the following characteristics: a plurality of tubes which are U-shaped and arrange side by side so that they form a cage like skull channel that is open on top, and a high frequency oscillation circuit which comprises an induction coil. The tubes can be connected to a cooling medium. The induction coil wraps around the channel in such a manner that winding sections extend along the lateral walls of the channel.

Abstract: A device for the melting or purifying of inorganic substances, in particular of glass, which comprises a number of metal tubes which may be attached to a cooling medium and which are arranged next to each other, in such a way that together they form a container, a high frequency coil for the injection of energy into the container contents and a plastic coating for the metal tubes, the decomposition temperature of which lies below the temperature of the melt. The cooling system is configured and arranged such that the temperature of the boundary layer of the melt, immediately surrounding the component, lies below that of the decomposition temperature of the coating material.

Abstract: An induction furnace that has a plurality of high temperature electrically conductive ceramic electrodes having no connecting electrical lead (leadless electrode). The leadless electrodes are exterior to and proximate a working furnace space. At least one metallic electrical conductor surrounds but is not connected to the ceramic electrodes and a power supply is connected to the at least one electrical conductor so that activation of the power supply creates an alternating current through the electrical conductor of sufficient energy to create an electromagnetic flux of sufficient flux density to heat the at least one ceramic electrode to a temperature in excess of about 1700° C. to heat the space.

Abstract: To restrict to a low level a temperature gradient of an ingot immediately after solidification in a bottomless crucible in a electromagnetic induction casting method using an electrically conductive bottomless crucible. An upper section and a lower section of an electrically conductive bottomless crucible to be disposed inside an induction coil are configured as a water-cooled section and a non-water-cooled section. Both the water-cooled section and the non-water-cooled section are divided by vertical slits into a plurality of portions in a circumferential direction. Rapid cooling with water in the lower section of the crucible is restricted.

Abstract: An induction heating and melting system uses a crucible formed from a material that has a high electrical resistivity or high magnetic permeability, and one or more inductor coils formed from a wound cable consisting of multiple individually insulated copper conductors to form an induction furnace that, along with its associated power supply, provides a compact design. The system components are air-cooled; no water-cooling is required. The crucible may alternatively be shaped as a tunnel or enclosed furnace.

Abstract: An induction melting furnace comprises a melt chamber for heating a melt either directly by magnetic induction, or indirectly by magnetic induction heating of the melt chamber, or a combination of the two, and a meter chamber connected to the melt chamber for providing a metered discharge of the melt from the furnace. A gas can be injected into the furnace to provide a blanket over the surface of the melt in the melt chamber and a pressurized flush of the metered discharge of the melt from the meter chamber.

Abstract: According to the invention, the skull pot is provided with the following characteristics: a pot wall (1), a bottom (3) and an induction coil (9) which surrounds the pot wall (1) and by means of which high-frequency energy can be coupled into the contents of the pot. The pot wall (1) is made of a ring of metal pipes (1.1) which can be connected to a cooling medium. Slits are embodied between adjacent metal pipes (1.1). The metal pipes (1.1) are bent at a right angle at the upper ends thereof in such a way that said pipes extend towards the outside, when the pot wall (1) is viewed from above, and form a collar (2). The collar (2) is surrounded by an additional wall (upper wall 4). The upper edge of said wall is situated on a higher level than the collar (2) in such a way that the melt covers the collar (2) during operation.

Abstract: An induction heating and melting system uses a crucible formed from a material that has a high electrical resistivity or high magnetic permeability, and one or more inductor coils formed from a wound cable consisting of multiple individually insulated copper conductors to form an induction furnace that, along with its associated power supply, provides a compact design. The system components are air-cooled; no water-cooling is required. The crucible may alternatively be shaped as a tunnel or enclosed furnace.

Abstract: An induction melting system uses a crucible formed from a material that has a high electrical resistivity or high magnetic permeability and one or more inductor coils formed from a wound cable consisting of multiple individually insulated copper conductors to form an induction furnace that, along with its associated power supply, provides a compact design. The system components are air-cooled; no water-cooling is required. The induction melting system is particularly useful for separating metal from scrap, casting molds directly from the induction furnace, and providing a continuous supply of molten metal.

Abstract: An induction heating furnace includes a furnace body having a side wall extending so obliquely as to increase in radius from the bottom to the top edge portion and formed by a plurality of longitudinally split, conductive segments arrayed circumferentially and insulated from each other, a first induction heating coil arranged at an outer periphery of the side wall for subjecting a to-be-heated material accommodated in the furnace body to induction heating and a melt-use power source for supplying AC power to the first induction heating coil.

Abstract: An increased diameter wire is formed by drawing a feed wire through a cooled nozzle located in a cooled crucible, and through a liquid metal bath contained within the crucible. Liquid metal freezes onto the feed wire as it passes through the bath, thereby increasing the diameter of the feed wire to form an increased diameter wire product. The invention is particularly suited to forming a wire from a metal composition that would undesirably react with refractory apparatus.

Abstract: An induction heating furnace includes a furnace body having a side wall extending so obliquely as to increase in radius from the bottom to the top edge portion and formed by a plurality of longitudinally split, conductive segments arrayed circumferentially and insulated from each other, a first induction heating coil arranged at an outer periphery of the side wall for subjecting a to-be-heated material accommodated in the furnace body to induction heating and a melt-use power source for supplying AC power to the first induction heating coil.

Abstract: A molten metal reactor (10) includes a reactor vessel having a heating section (11) formed from a dielectric material. The reactor vessel also includes a reaction section (12) connected to heating section (11). An induction heating coil (18) is associated with the reactor vessel heating section (11) and produces an electromagnetic field within a field area (19). A portion of the field extends through the heating section (11) for inductively heating a reactant metal (14) contained in the heating section, while a dielectric spacing material (25) positioned around induction heating coil (18) isolates electrically conductive materials from the induction heating field (19). A circulating arrangement (20) circulates molten reactant metal between the heating section (11) and reaction section (12) to react waste material introduced into the reactor in the reaction section, outside of the induction heating field (19).

Abstract: In an induction furnace for the synthesis of glasses, in particular fluorozirconate glasses for optical fibres for telecommunications, the support device (6') for the crucible (3) is associated with a pair of sleeves (7, 9) between which an annular element (8) which constitutes the actual support element is inserted. The first sleeve (7) has such longitudinal dimensions that the crucible (3) is supported in the annular element (8) in such a way as to be spaced from the planar element (5'), and the second sleeve has such longitudinal dimensions that its top edge is at a level higher than that of the top edge of the crucible (3), to obtain a homogeneous temperature region extending at least along the entire height of the crucible (3).

Abstract: A shallow vessel (50,52) for being horizontally disposed when containing a molten metal or metal alloy (66) for meniscus coating one side of a clean metal strip (34A) when the strip is moved vertically past one side of the vessel. The vessel includes a shell (68) such as austenitic stainless steel, a refractory lining (70), a molten metal departure lip (72) mounted on the upper surface of the side of the vessel, a spirally shaped induction coil (64) for maintaining the molten metal above its melting point and a flux concentrator (74). The induction coil is positioned below the refractory lining and the flux concentrator is positioned below the induction coil. The induction coil and the flux concentrator underlie the area occupied by the molten metal.

Abstract: A system for damping oscillatory and spinning motions induced in an electromagnetically levitated material. Two opposed field magnets are located orthogonally to the existing levitation coils for providing a DC quadrupole field (cusp field) around the material. The material used for generating the DC quadrupole field must be nonconducting to avoid eddy-current heating and of low magnetic permeability to avoid distorting the induction fields providing the levitation.

Abstract: An induction furnace includes a crucible having a plurality of cooled metallic segments (6A, 6B) electrically insulated from each other and an electromagnetic induction coil (5) arranged around the crucible, wherein the electromagnetic induction coil is energized with low frequency electric current. Each of the metallic segments forming the crucible wall is made of a relatively thin sheet, and a cooling pipe is provided on each segment. The cooling pipes (22) are welded or brazed to an outer surface of each corresponding segment. A refrigerant flows through each pipe in order to evacuate heat from the corresponding segment. The furnace further includes a magnetic core (8) disposed above and near the top surface of the charge placed in the crucible. This magnetic core provides local narrowing of the magnetic field lines, causing centripetal motion of the melted part of charge located at or near the top surface of the charge.

Abstract: A furnace refractory extraction system and method includes a selectively removable bottom portion which is attached to a refractory extraction device associated with a container for drawing the refractory lining of a coreless induction furnace into the container. A plug portion in the furnace bottom is selectively removable to provide access to a bottom wall of the refractory lining. An opening is made in the bottom wall of the lining through which an extractor shaft is inserted and then attached to the removable bottom portion of the furnace bottom. The other end of the shaft is attached to a piston and cylinder assembly associated with the container at the open end of the furnace. When the piston and cylinder assembly is powered, the lining is drawn into the container.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously melting metal and holding molten metal for treatment and the like comprises a plurality of separate induction furnaces, each having an induction coil. The induction coil of each furnace is arranged to inductively heat metal in its associated furnace. A plural-output power supply is operatively connected to the induction coils for supplying ac power to the coils. The power supply comprises at least one rectifier section having an output and a plurality of high-frequency inverter sections equal to the number of separate induction furnaces Each inverter section has an input operatively associated with the rectifier section output for receiving power from said at least one rectifier section and an output operatively connected to a respective one of the induction coils for supplying ac power to the induction coil. Switches are provided for selectably interrupting power from selected ones of said plurality of inverter sections to their associated induction coils.

Abstract: A furnace chamber contains a chassis to which a closure plate for said chamber is removably fixed. A tilting frame is borne by said chassis in a pair of coaxial tilting bearings, one of which incorporates a rotary lead through for power lines and cooling lines to an induction coil surrounding a crucible on the tilting frame. The chassis includes a pair of rails which are movable horizontally on wheels mounted to the floor of the furnace chamber.

Abstract: In a fast-melting induction furnace, an elevationally movable pressing cover 4 suppresses the swell of molten metal 3 inside a crucible 2 on which a coil 1 is wound. The pressing cover 4 has a lower surface which is made concave. An upper half part of the motion of the molten metal 3 caused by electromagnetic force is made in conformity with the concave shape of the lower surface 5, so that the dangerous blowout of molten metal through a gap 8 is effectively prevented. Accordingly, the fast melting by the supply of high electric power can be performed. The lower surface 5 may be shaped as a cylindrical surface, a paraboloidal surface of revolution, a partial spherical surface, or the like, or may be shaped like a runner bucket of a Pelton turbine which has a slightly projecting center portion.

Abstract: An improved chemical reactor of the type for depositing a layer of material epitaxially onto a wafer of single crystalline silicon is disclosed. The reactor has a susceptor for supporting each wafer in a cavity of the susceptor with the cavity being curvilinearly shaped. Cavities of a particular shape and dimensions is particularly effective in reducing dislocations in the deposited epitaxial layer.