Crystal grower with torque supportive collapsible pulling mechanism

摘要

A Czochralski-type crystal growing apparatus (10) supports a crystal (12) with respect to a melt (14) by a plurality of flexible cables (41, 42 and 43). The supporting lengths of the cables are radially offset in a horizontal plane from a vertical central axis (29) about which the growing crystal (12) is rotated with respect to the melt (14). Because of their radially offset position, the cables have the capacity to oppose a torque which is typically generated by the relative rotation of the crystal with respect to the melt. The supporting cables (41, 42 and 43) also impart increased orientational stability to a lower support bracket (26) which holds the crystal (12) relative to the melt (14).