Abstract: A fast atom beam source used e.g., for sputtering, includes an ion source that emits an ion beam and an electron gun that emits an electron beam at a speed substantially equal to the speed of the ions in the ion beam emitted from the ion source and in the same direction as that of the ion beam. The fast atom beam source may also include a speed control for regulating the speed of the electrons in the electron beam emitted from said electron gun to a level substantially equal to that of the speed of the ions in the ion beam, and a deflector which aligns the electron beam with the ion beam.

Abstract: An apparatus for composting materials suitable for composting such as kitchen refuse or municipal refuse, in which rotary agitator units are provided above a plurality of horizontal floors, respectively so that the agitator units themselves are rotated simultaneously when the material such as kitchen refuse is charged onto the uppermost stage of the horizontal floors, the agitator units and said horizontal floors also being rotated relative to each other during which the charged material is agitated and moved on the horizontal floors, and the material is allowed to fall successively onto the floor below thereby effecting the composting operation.