Abstract: In order to radically improve the efficiency of evaporators used in vacuum foil coating plants wherein reactive metals such as Al, Ni, Fe and the like are being evaporated, a radiation heater heated up to about 2500.degree. C. is placed in a cavity, the inner wall surface of which carries the liquid evaporant. The liquid evaporant is evaporated and energized by the radiation heater emitting high energy photons and also electrons. The high energy vapor is directed in a beam and reduces evaporant waste caused by stray deposits, and also forms a denser metallic coating on a moving foil being metallized.

Abstract: An apparatus for the vaporization of inorganic compositions uses a photon-generating thermal source of radiation heat in a continuously operated vacuum vaporization processes. The apparatus includes a shaped body of the compacted vaporizable material prepared from pulverulent inorganic compositions having melting points greater than 1000.degree. C., optionally mixed with elements having melting points greater than 1000.degree. C., and a thermal source of radiation heat, the vaporizable material and a thermal source of radiation heat being coupled without contact. The vaporizable material is constructed as preferably a porous, shaped body and the shaped body and/or the thermal source of radiation heat are movably arranged relative to each other.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaporating large quantities of metals and semiconductor material by electromagnetic levitation, in which levitated evaporand is heated to evaporation by electrical means, particularly induction heating. To minimize precipitation of the evaporated material on parts of an electromagnetic coil means, these parts are heated due to proximity with coils of the coil means to evaporate liquid condensate deposits formed on the parts. The liquid condensate deposits are then returned into the evaporand by electromagnetic forces arising from the coil means, or gravitational forces or a combination of these forces. According to one embodiment of the invention, screens are placed between the electrical coil exposed to the vapor of the evaporated material and levitated evaporand. The condensate formed upon the screens is heated by induction, radiation, heat of condensation, or resistance heating or a combination to them.