The updated version of the Bridgman method ensuring a reduced level of thermal convection in a melt under terrestrial conditions is presented. Automated control of crystal growth process has been realized for this method. Crystallization took place at programmable heat removal from a melt. Striation-free germanium single crystals, doped with gallium. with high microhomogeneity of properties were grown. Effect of vibrations, applied to a melt, on microhomogeneity of dopant distribution in a crystal was investigated. There were made theoretical calculations of heat and mass transfer processes in a melt for different values of the radial temperature gradient oil the upper boundary with a fixed vertical temperature gradient in a melt. Level of vibrational actions capable of bringing about formation of growth striation in single crystals grown tinder space conditions has been estimated on the basis of ground-based experiments. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.