How does float zoning avoid contamination from a container?

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zone melting Figure 1: Schematic representation of (A) normal freezing, (B) zone refining

Float zoning avoids contamination from a container by eliminating the need for one entirely. In this process, a vertical rod of material—such as silicon—is held in place by end clamps rather than being placed in a boat or vessel. A short molten zone is created along the rod using induction heating, and this liquid zone is held in place solely by its own surface tension. Because the molten material does not come into contact with any container walls, the risk of chemical contamination is removed, allowing for the production of ultrapure materials.1