Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing coherent or monolithic elements, such as mono-crystalline semi-conductor rods, preferably by growing or drawing one or more such elements upwardly from an off-center portion of a molten pool in the top of a cake of material while rotating the cake and/or rod or rods, for example, in the same direction and at the same rate; heat balancing the element as it is grown from the pool and maintaining the rod-pool location positioned relative to heating means, as by adding additional materials to the pool as the element is withdrawn; and/or providing relative feeding movement between the cake and rod; and providing a chilled mold beneath the cake.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing coherent or monolithic elements, such as mono-crystalline semi-conductor rods, preferably by growing or drawing one or more such elements upwardly from an off-center portion of a molten pool in the top of a cake of material while rotating the cake and/or rod or rods, for example, in the same direction and at the same rate; heat balancing the element as it is grown from the pool and maintaining the rod-pool location positioned relative to heating means, as by adding additional materials to the pool as the element is withdrawn; and/or providing relative feeding movement between the cake and rod; and providing a chilled mold beneath the cake.