Importance

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Abstract

An improved apparatus and method is disclosed for use in a system for growing a hollow tubular body of crystalline material by growing the body from the end of a die member, whereby the hollow tubular body can be cut lengthwise along predetermined lines of the body to provide separate crystalline bodies. The apparatus comprises means (preferably in the form of notches provided in the die end of the die member from which the hollow body is grown) for concentrating stress in the hollow tubular body along the predetermined lines as the body is pulled from the die end. The method comprises the steps of (a) growing the tube from a die end of a die member so that stress is concentrated in the tube along predetermined lines as the tube is grown; and (b) cutting the tube along the predetermined lines so as to separate the hollow tube into the plurality of bodies of the crystalline material.

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First Claim