The Rotating Heat-Pipe Oven; A Universal Device for the Containment of Atomic and Molecular Vapors

Abstract

A new type of heat‐pipe oven has been developed that uses centrifugal force as a return mechanism for the condensed vapors in contrast to capillary return forces for the conventional heat‐pipe oven. Since this new oven is no longer limited to materials that wet wicks, it can be used to contain any material that does not react with the walls of the containing vessel. We describe the operation of this oven with sodium and InI even when the InI is solid. Spectroscopic and laser applications of the ``rotating'' heat‐pipe oven are discussed.