Abstract: A zig-zag picket graphite heater for use in high temperature furnaces of the type used for crystal growing, for example, utilizes a plurality of discrete graphite arcuate shell segments having vertically extending slots alternating from the upper and lower ends thereof. The edge pickets are adjacent slots which extend upwardly from the lower end of the segment and have extensions projecting below the other pickets so as to provide pads below the level of the slots. Graphite connectors span the adjacent pads of adjacent arcuate segments and certain of the connectors are also connected to electrical power supply terminals.

Abstract: A zig-zag picket graphite heater for use in high temperature furnaces of the type used for crystal growing, for example, utilizes a plurality of discrete graphite arcuate shell segments having vertically extending slots alternating from the upper and lower ends thereof. The edge pickets are adjacent slots which extend upwardly from the lower end of the segment and have extensions projecting below the other pickets so as to provide pads below the level of the slots. Graphite connectors span the adjacent pads of adjacent arcuate segments and certain of the connectors are also connected to electrical power supply terminals.

Abstract: A susceptor for holding substrates during a high temperature vapor deposition process is constructed from separable top, bottom and side plates interlocked to each other in a gravity maintained assembly.

Abstract: A picket or zig-zag type heater for use in high temperature furnaces, such as are used for crystal growing for example, is constructed from a plurality of like graphite cylindrical shell segments assembled into a cylindrical shell having uniform resistance heating characteristics by graphite connector elements which also function to couple the electric current source to the heater.

Abstract: Warped, spread apart, graphite enclosures of the type used with crucibles for "pulling" crystalline bodies, and the like are restored substantially to original "set" condition by compressing them and holding them in substantially their original shape while heating them to temperatures which result in vaporization of the crystalline material and the carbon compounds which have deposited or formed on the enclosure, holding them at the elevated temperatures for a period of time sufficient to volatilize, and permit removal of all, save perhaps a minor residuum, of these materials, and then cooling the enclosure. Alternatively, the heating can be accomplished in a reactive furnace which also reacts a halogen or the like with the material to be removed.