The optical floating zone furnaces produce high-purity single crystals by melting materials with light.

The term "floating zone" refers to a partially melted region (the molten zone) between the feed rod and the crystal, which is held in place solely by surface tension — in other words, it “floats.”
By moving this molten zone along the material, crystals can be grown with very few impurities, resulting in high-quality single crystals.

■How it Works

The material rod is melted with light, and the molten portion (molten zone) is moved to grow crystals. The material rod and seed crystal are set in place and heated and melted with light.
The molten zone is moved to grow single crystals on the seed crystal.

■Advantages

High-purity crystals with few impurities can be produced.
Crystals of a variety of materials can be grown.
Crystal composition can be finely adjusted.
Crystal growth is possible in various atmospheres, including argon, nitrogen, and oxygen.