Abstract: A seed crystal holder for growing single crystals, such as for use in scintillation detectors for nuclear medicine. The holder includes a cooling shaft, a fastener attached to the cooling shaft, and a gasket for separating the cooling shaft from the seed crystal. The gasket is made of a heat-transferable material such as steel wool or metallic foil to conduct heat from the seed crystal to the cooling shaft, while also providing a cushioning effect to cushion the seed crystal against potentially damaging motion forces.

Abstract: A single crystal pull apparatus has a multilayer crucible wherein the crucible has an outer crucible, an insertable layer intimately fitted thereon, and a wire frame positioned between the insertable layer and an inner crucible. The insertable layer, wire frame and inner crucible are preferably composed of platinum. Furthermore the insertable layers have thin walls and the frame has a small diameter such that they can be easily reshaped after any deformation occurring as a result of the single crystal growth process.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for pulling a crystal seed from melt for growing a single crystal. The method includes the steps of providing a crucible and providing within the crucible an outer container, and providing coaxially within the outer container an inner container. A protruding portion of the inner container protrudes downward relative to the outer container for containing melt, the inner and outer containers defining an annular channel therebetween which has a bottom wall and contains introduced charge feed. The method further includes the steps of providing for allowing fluid communication between the annular channel and the inner container, delivering charge feed into the annular channel, and generating heat from within the annular channel for preventing the formation of a condensate of the charge feed within the annular channel.

Abstract: A single crystal pull apparatus has a multilayer crucible wherein the crucible has an outer crucible, an insertable layer intimately fitted thereon, and a wire frame positioned between the insertable layer and an inner crucible. The insertable layer, wire frame and inner crucible are preferably composed of platinum. Furthermore the insertable layers have thin walls and the frame has a small diameter such that they can be easily reshaped after any deformation occurring as a result of the single crystal growth process.

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 and method is provided for pulling a crystal seed from melt for growing a single crystal. The method includes the steps of providing a crucible and providing within the crucible an outer container, and providing coaxially within the outer container an inner container. A protruding portion of the inner container protrudes downward relative to the outer container for containing melt, the inner and outer containers defining an annular channel therebetween which has a bottom wall and contains introduced charge feed. The method further includes the steps of providing for allowing fluid communication between the annular channel and the inner container, delivering charge feed into the annular channel, and generating heat from within the annular channel for preventing the formation of a condensate of the charge feed within the annular channel.

Abstract: A seed crystal holder for growing single crystals, such as for use in scintillation detectors for nuclear medicine. The holder includes a cooling shaft, a fastener attached to the cooling shaft, and a gasket for separating the cooling shaft from the seed crystal. The gasket is made of a heat-transferable material such as steel wool or metallic foil to conduct heat from the seed crystal to the cooling shaft, while also providing a cushioning effect to cushion the seed crystal against potentially damaging motion forces.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forging cylindrical alkali halide melt-grown single-crystal-type ingots into rectangular blocks. The resulting rectangular blocks are devoid of peripheral cracks and fissures, and possess uniform properties and reduced levels of impurities.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for forging cylindrical alkali halide melt-grown single-crystal-type ingots into rectangular blocks. The resulting rectangular blocks are devoid of peripheral cracks and fissures, and possess uniform properties and reduced levels of impurities.

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: A cylindrical alkali halide single-crystal-type ingot having an axis generally coinciding with the ?001! crystallographic direction is compressed in a heated dual platen press. To produce an approximately rectangular compressed ingot that is devoid of cracks and fissures at and adjacent the periphery, the surface of the ingot is flatted. For crystals having a face-centered lattice (e.g. NaI), the flat is parallel to the (100) crystallographic plane. For crystals having a body-centered lattice (e.g. CsI), the flat is parallel to the (110) crystallographic plane. The flat is placed on the lower platen of the press to properly orient the crystallographic structure of the ingot with respect to the direction of compression.