Abstract:
Device for crucible-free zone melting a crystalline rod substantially vertically supported at the ends thereof in a zone melting chamber includes heating means extending into the chamber through a substantially vertical slot formed in a side wall of the chamber. Slide means located adjacent the side wall carries the heating means and is slidable therewith relative to the rod axis. Elastically deformable sealing means are mounted between the sliding surface of the slide means and the side wall and completely surround the slot so as to seal it gas-tightly. The slide means, at least at the sliding surface thereof, are formed of a material of good slidability, the sealing means are formed of a material effecting a dry seal with the sliding surfaces, the paired materials having a frictional coefficient of at most 0.2.