Abstract: A system and method for cutting soluble scintillator material are disclosed. The system includes a scintillator cutting apparatus including a filament rotated around a plurality of pulleys in at least one direction and in operative proximity to the material thereby cutting the material. The system also includes a linear motion motor operatively connected to the scintillator cutting apparatus for moving the apparatus to position the filament in operative proximity and a linear motion speed sensor for sensing rate of movement of the apparatus as the apparatus is moved by the linear motion motor to position the filament in operative proximity. The system further includes a master motor controller operatively connected to the linear motion motor and the linear motion sensor, wherein the master motor controller controls the linear motion motor as a function of sensed information obtained from the linear motion speed sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing crystals includes a sealed chamber having a crucible and a seed holder disposed therein. The seed holder is selectively positionable within the chamber from a first position relative to the crucible to at least one subsequent position within the crucible. A heater is configured and dimensioned to heat a melt disposed within the crucible and an insulator is included for insulating the heater and the crucible. An actuator rotates at least one of the crucible and the seed holder relative to the other and a support ring suspends the crucible within the sealed chamber. A ceramic thermal shield is disposed atop the support ring and regulates the heat loss from the crucible to an upper portion of the chamber. The crucible has a non-smooth outer surface morphology or a chemically altered outer surface for increasing the absorption or transfer of thermal energy generated by the heater.

Abstract: A process control system for a crystal-growing apparatus is provided which includes a process controller and a temperature controller. The temperature controller includes an input terminal which receives a temperature adjustment signal from a bottom heat thermocouple indicating the melt temperature. Based on the melt temperature, the temperature controller determines whether to increase, decrease or keep constant the melt temperature. The temperature controller further includes two additional input terminals which receive pulses from a pulse generator of the process controller for automatically controlling temperature switches of a bottom heater temperature controller in accordance with the sensed level of the melt. The pulses are generated by the pulse generator upon receiving data with respect to how much the temperature needs to be adjusted and in which direction (increase or decrease).

Abstract: An apparatus for growing crystals includes a sealed chamber having a crucible assembly and a seed holder disposed therein. The crucible assembly is adapted to contain a melt therein and the seed holder is selectively positionable within the chamber from a first position relative to the crucible assembly to at least one subsequent position within the crucible assembly. A heater is configured and dimensioned to heat the melt disposed within the crucible assembly and an insulator is included for insulating the heater and the crucible. An actuator rotates at least one of the crucible assembly and the seed holder relative to the other and a support ring suspends the crucible assembly within the sealed chamber. A ceramic thermal shield is disposed atop the support ring and regulates the heat loss from the crucible assembly to an upper portion of the chamber.

Abstract: According to the present invention, a new saw is cutting crystal is provided. This saw uses a driven string wetted with a dissolving fluid so cut crystal material. The present invention avoids the problems of localized heating causing chemical changes in the crystal that occur in other techniques.