An apparatus for generating an aerosol powder from a melt includes an atomization die (110) having an orifice (111) through which the melt (400) passes to create the powder. The orifice is in the size range at and immediately above that which is just sufficient to permit continuous generation of such powder. The die 110 may be included in a high-temperature probe 100 suitable for immersion in the melt, so that accumulated accretions of powder on the walls of the probe may be melted off by heating the probe.