A Radiant Heated Titanium Sublimator

Abstract
A new radiant heated sublimator is described which employs an approximately spherical shell of titanium enclosing a tungsten filament heater. The sublimator is relatively simple in construction and can dispense ∼37 g of titanium at sublimation rates up to 0.5 g/h. The sublimation rate at a given power input remains relatively constant throughout the life of the sublimator, making it very simple and reliable to operate. Comparative experiments are described with both spherical and cylindrical sublimators which illustrate the effect of various designs on the sublimation rate versus power and time characteristics. The operating characteristics of this device are discussed relative to other sublimation sources in common use in the field of titanium sublimation pumping.