Numerical simulation for flow, heat transfer and thermal stress for a 3 in. diameter liquid-encapsulated float zone growth of single-crystal InP is conducted by using the finite-element method under zero gravity condition. The results show that the crystal and feed rod rotation rate has a notable influence on the flow pattern in the melt. It also shows that the melt/crystal interface shape becomes more convex and the maximum value of thermal stress in the crystal reduces with increasing encapsulant thickness, decreasing pulling rate and decreasing the length of the melting zone. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.