Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the automated growing of a floating zone refined, monocrystalline semiconductor rod. Two images of the molten/solid interface are separately positioned on two sensor arrays which, in addition to providing positioning feedback information, measure the diameter, the length of the molten zone and the "bag" or overhang angle of the molten semiconductor matter. The output of the sensor arrays are processed into signals which operate the zone refiner controls. There is thus provided an automated process for zone refining and monocrystalline rod growth of a semiconductor crystal from a seed crystal beginning with the tapering-out process, through the straight rod growth with a closely controlled diameter portion, to the end of the tapering-in process.

Abstract: A small portable device quickly secured to and removed from a body of monocrystalline material to be sawed and useful for aligning the body with respect to a saw blade, permitting sawing with precisely predetermined crystallographic orientation. The device has a viewing screen, a light source, and first and second autocollimators. The first autocollimator directs a first collimated light beam toward a surface of the material. The resultant reverse reflection is directed back through the collimating lens and a beam splitter images the reflection on the screen, providing a pattern on the screen characteristic of a crystallographic plane of the material, the pattern position corresponding to the orientation of the device with respect to the crystallographic plane.