A method of charging a crystal forming apparatus with molten source
material is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning a
melter assembly relative to the crystal forming apparatus for delivering
molten silicon to a crucible of the apparatus. An upper heating coil in
the melter assembly is operated to melt source material in a melting
crucible. A lower heating coil in the melter assembly is operated to
allow molten source material to flow through an orifice of the melter
assembly to deliver a stream of molten source material to the crucible of
the crystal forming apparatus. The invention is also directed to a method
of charging a crystal puller with molten silicon including the step of
removing an upper housing of the crystal puller defining a pulling
chamber from a lower housing of the crystal puller defining a growth
chamber and attaching the lower housing in place of the upper housing.