Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
117081000 | Growth confined by a solid member other than seed or product (e.g., Bridgman-Stockbarger method) | 47 |
20080210156 | Casting method for polycrystalline silicon - In a casting method for polycrystalline silicon in which a bottomless cooling crucible with a part of a certain length in an axial direction being circumferentially and plurally sectioned is provided inside an induction coil, producing a silicon melt within the cooling crucible by means of electromagnetically induced heating by the induction coil, and withdrawing the silicon melt in a downward direction while being solidified, an alternating current with a frequency of 25-35 kHz is applied on the induction coil. According to the casting method for polycrystalline silicon of the present invention, in addition to preventing rapid cooling of the ingot surface at the time of solidifying the molten silicon and producing the ingot, the stirring of the molten silicon inside the crucible is suppressed to thereby promote the growth of large diameter crystals, with the result that the conversion efficiency of the cast polycrystalline silicon used as solar cells is increased. | 09-04-2008 |
20080271666 | Method and Apparatus for Preparing Crystal - A method and an apparatus for producing crystals wherein crystal quality can be kept and a crystal composition is uniformed from a growth early stage to a growth last stage are provided. In an apparatus for producing crystals wherein the crystals | 11-06-2008 |
20090165703 | Silicon ingot fabrication - A method of and apparatus for growing single crystal silicon ingots is disclosed. The apparatus includes a charge structure with one or more charge units that are substantially multi-crystalline or single crystal silicon. The silicon charge structure is preferably coupled to a single crystal seed structure that can be used to grow a silicon ingot after the silicon charge unit is melted into a quartz growing crucible. The silicon charge units can be linked together through silicon linking structures that are threaded into or otherwise secured to the silicon charge units. In accordance with the method of the invention a crucible holding poly-silicon stock and the silicon charge structure are isolated within a process chamber. A process melt is formed and charged with the silicon charge structure, and a silicon ingot is formed without exposing the crystal growing chamber to an outside environment. | 07-02-2009 |
20090320744 | HIGH PRESSURE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NITRIDE CRYSTAL GROWTH - A high pressure apparatus and related methods for processing supercritical fluids. In a specific embodiment, the present apparatus includes a capsule, a heater, at least one ceramic ring but can be multiple rings, optionally, with one or more scribe marks and/or cracks present. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus optionally has a metal sleeve containing each ceramic ring. The apparatus also has a high-strength enclosure, end flanges with associated insulation, and a power control system. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus is capable of accessing pressures and temperatures of 0.2-2 GPa and 400-1200° C., respectively. | 12-31-2009 |
20090320745 | HEATER DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HIGH PRESSURE PROCESSING OF CRYSTALLINE MATERIALS - An improved heater for processing materials or growing crystals in supercritical fluids is provided. In a specific embodiment, the heater is scalable up to very large volumes and is cost effective. In conjunction with suitable high pressure apparatus, the heater is capable of processing materials at pressures and temperatures of 0.2-2 GPa and 400-1200° C., respectively. | 12-31-2009 |
20100147210 | HIGH PRESSURE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR NITRIDE CRYSTAL GROWTH - An improved high pressure apparatus and related methods for processing supercritical fluids. In a specific embodiment, the present apparatus includes a capsule, a release sleeve, a heater, at least one ceramic segment or ring but can be multiple segments or rings, optionally, with one or more scribe marks and/or cracks present. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus optionally has a metal sleeve containing each ceramic ring. The apparatus also has a high-strength enclosure, end flanges with associated insulation, and a power control system. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus is capable of accessing pressures and temperatures of 0.2-2 GPa and 400-1200° C., respectively. Following a run, the release sleeve may be at least partially dissolved or etched to facilitate removal of the capsule from the apparatus. | 06-17-2010 |
20110146566 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CRYSTAL GROWING - To reduce the heat input to the bottom of the crucible and to control heat extraction independently of heat input, a shield can be raised between a heating element and a crucible at a controlled speed as the crystal grows. Other steps could include moving the crucible, but this process can avoid having to move the crucible. A temperature gradient is produced by shielding only a portion of the heating element; for example, the bottom portion of a cylindrical element can be shielded to cause heat transfer to be less in the bottom of the crucible than at the top, thereby causing a stabilizing temperature gradient in the crucible. | 06-23-2011 |
20110179992 | CRYSTAL GROWTH METHODS AND SYSTEMS - Methods and systems related to an improved controlled heat extraction system for crystal growth, such as sapphire crystal growth are described, including methods and systems for mechanical probe-based and pyrometer-based inspection and automation processes, methods and systems for avoiding fusion of components, methods and systems for purging an inspection window, and methods and systems related to alternative crucible shapes. | 07-28-2011 |
20110203517 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF SILICON BLOCKS - A device for the production of silicon blocks comprising a vessel for receiving a silicon melt with at least one vessel wall, with the at least one vessel wall comprising a nucleation-inhibiting coating on at least part of an inside or with the at least one vessel wall consisting of a nucleation-inhibiting material. | 08-25-2011 |
20110220012 | CRYSTAL GROWTH APPARATUS WITH LOAD-CENTERED APERTURE, AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING HEAT EXTRACTION FROM A CRUCIBLE - A crystal growth apparatus includes a crucible arranged on a support mechanism, and at least two plates formed below the support mechanism and movable in a coordinated manner to form a symmetrical aperture centered with respect to an ingot being formed in the crucible, and a drive mechanism for driving the plates with one degree of freedom. The plates open in a plurality of discrete positions to form an aperture that is load centered with respect to the ingot being formed, in order to promote directional solidification of the ingot being formed, and thus achieve a desired convex profile of the ingot. | 09-15-2011 |
20110247549 | METHODS AND APPARATI FOR MAKING THIN SEMICONDUCTOR BODIES FROM MOLTEN MATERIAL - A pressure differential is applied across a mold sheet and a semiconductor (e.g. silicon) wafer is formed thereon. Relaxation of the pressure differential allows release of the wafer. The mold sheet may be cooler than the melt. Heat is extracted almost exclusively through the thickness of the forming wafer. The liquid and solid interface is substantially parallel to the mold sheet. The temperature of the solidifying body is substantially uniform across its width, resulting in low stresses and dislocation density and higher crystallographic quality. The mold sheet must allow flow of gas through it. The melt can be introduced to the sheet by: full area contact with the top of a melt; traversing a partial area contact of melt with the mold sheet, whether horizontal or vertical, or in between; and by dipping the mold into a melt. The grain size can be controlled by many means. | 10-13-2011 |
20110253033 | CRYSTAL GROWING SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - Provided is a system and method for growing crystals. The method includes substantially fully covering a seed crystal in a charge material, using a heat source to melt the charge material, cooling the seed crystal to keep the seed crystal at least partially intact as the charge material melts, allowing at least a portion of the seed crystal to melt into the molten charge material, and continually growing the crystal by reducing the temperature of the heat source, moving the molten charge material and seed crystal from the heat source, and increasing a rate of cooling of the seed crystal. | 10-20-2011 |
20110259262 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GROWING MONOCRYSTALLINE SILICON INGOTS BY DIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION - Systems and methods are provided for producing monocrystalline materials such as silicon, the monocrystalline materials being usable in semiconductor and photovoltaic applications. A crucible ( | 10-27-2011 |
20110303143 | METHOD OF MANUFACTURING CRYSTALLINE SILICON INGOT - An approach is provided for a method to manufacture a crystalline silicon ingot. The method comprises providing a mold formed for melting and cooling a silicon feedstock by using a directional solidification process, disposing a barrier layer inside the mold, disposing one or more silicon crystal seeds on the barrier layer, loading the silicon feedstock on the silicon crystal seeds, heating the mold to obtain a silicon melt, and cooling the mold by the directional solidification process to solidify the silicon melt into a silicon ingot. The mold is heated until the silicon feedstock is fully melted and the silicon crystal seeds are at least partially melted. | 12-15-2011 |
20110308448 | Method and Device for Producing Oriented Solidified Blocks Made of Semi-Conductor Material - The invention relates to a method for producing oriented solidified blocks made of semi-conductor material, in addition to a device. Said device comprises a crucible, wherein melt is received, and has an insulation which surrounds the crucible at least from the top and from the side and which is arranged at a distance therefrom at least above the crucible, and at least one heating device which is arranged above said crucible. The region inside the insulation above the crucible is divided by an intermediate cover in a process chamber and a heating chamber is arranged there above, wherein at least one heating element is arranged. | 12-22-2011 |
20120055396 | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS AND METHODS FOR HIGH-TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS - A system and method for growing crystals is described. The system includes a crucible, a shaft adapted to support the crucible, and an intermediate material between the crucible and the shaft having a coating directly applied to contact surfaces of the crucible and the shaft. The coating includes a compound, such as, a carbide, nitride, oxide, or boride. The method for growing a crystal includes providing an intermediate material between contact surfaces between a shaft and a crucible supported by the shaft prior to melting a charge material in the crucible. | 03-08-2012 |
20120090534 | Solid state thermoelectric power converter - High efficiency conversion of heat energy to electrical energy is achieved using a ring of metallic components and anodically sliced, reduced barriers, high purity n-type and p-type semiconductor wafers. Energy produced by heating one set of fins and cooling another set is extracted from a ring of bismuth telluride based n-type wafers and antimony telluride based p-type wafers using make-before-break control of MOSfet switch banks. Standard AC frequencies and DC output result from rectification of make-before-break high frequency switched very high currents in the ring and a DC to AC converter. Solar energy stored in porcelain fragments extends the time that solar energy can be used as the heat source for the thermoelectric generator device. | 04-19-2012 |
20120174857 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROWING SAPPHIRE SINGLE CRYSTALS - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for growing sapphire single crystals, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for growing sapphire single crystals in which a high quality, long single crystal can be obtained within a short period of time upon the use of a long rectangular crucible and a long seed crystal extending in a c-axial direction. Use of the method and apparatus for growing sapphire single crystals according to the present invention can uniformly maintain the horizontal temperature at the inside of the crucible despite the use of a rectangular crucible, thereby obtaining a high-quality single crystal as well decreasing the possibility of a failure in the growth of the single crystal. | 07-12-2012 |
20120240844 | HIGH TEMPERATURE FURNACE INSULATION - A high temperature furnace comprising hot zone insulation having at least one shaped thermocouple assembly port to reduce temperature measurement variability is disclosed. The shaped thermocouple assembly port has an opening in the insulation facing the hot zone that is larger than the opening on the furnace shell side of the insulation. A method for producing a crystalline ingot in a high temperature furnace utilizing insulation having a shaped thermocouple assembly port is also disclosed. | 09-27-2012 |
20120255485 | METHOD FOR PURIFYING SILICON - The present invention provides for methods of purifying silicon, methods for obtaining purified silicon, as well as methods for obtaining purified silicon crystals, purified granulized silicon and/or purified silicon ingots. | 10-11-2012 |
20120260849 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF CRYSTALLINE SILICON SUBSTRATES - An apparatus and method for producing a crystalline ribbon continuously from a melt pool of liquid feed material, e.g. silicon. The silicon is melted and flowed into a growth tray to provide a melt pool of liquid silicon. Heat is passively extracted by allowing heat to flow from the melt pool up through a chimney. Heat is simultaneously applied to the growth tray to keep the silicon in its liquid phase while heat loss is occurring through the chimney. A template is placed in contact with the melt pool as heat is lost through the chimney so that the silicon starts to “freeze” (i.e. solidify) and adheres to the template. The template is then pulled from the melt pool thereby producing a continuous ribbon of crystalline silicon. | 10-18-2012 |
20120260850 | METHOD OF PURIFYING SILICON UTILIZING CASCADING PROCESS - The present invention relates to a method of purifying a material using a metallic solvent. The present invention includes a method of purifying silicon utilizing a cascade process. In a cascade process, as the silicon moves through the purification process, it contacts increasingly pure solvent metal that is moving through the process in an opposite direction. | 10-18-2012 |
20130152851 | Bulk Growth Grain Controlled Directional Solidification Device and Method - A solidification system is provided and includes a crucible, heater, insulation, movable insulation, and radiation regulator. The crucible is configured to retain a volume of silicon. The heater is to heat the crucible. The heater being configured to provide sufficient heat to melt the volume of silicon. The insulation is to reduce heat loss from a first portion of the crucible. The movable insulation to regulate heat loss from a second portion of the crucible. The radiation regulator is to regulate radiant heat loss over the second portion of the crucible. The radiation regulator is configured to modulate a size of an opening in the radiation regular through which radiant heat dissipates from. | 06-20-2013 |
20130213297 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MANUFACTURING CAST SILICON FROM SEED CRYSTALS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting. | 08-22-2013 |
20130220213 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LIQUID SILICON CONTAINMENT - This invention relates to a system and a method for liquid silicon containment, such as during the casting of high purity silicon used in solar cells or solar modules. The containment apparatus includes a shielding ember adapted to prevent breaching molten silicon from contacting structural elements or cooling elements of a casting device, and a volume adapted to hold a quantity of breaching molten silicon with the volume formed by a bottom and one or more sides. | 08-29-2013 |
20130233239 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING SILICON INGOTS - Method for producing a silicon ingot comprising the following steps: providing a container for receiving a silicon melt with a base wall extending perpendicular to an axial direction and side walls, providing at least one flat monocrystalline seed crystal with an axial orientation selected from the group of <110>, <100> and <111> orientation, arranging the at least one seed crystal on the base wall of the container and directional solidification of a silicon melt in the container (2) to form a silicon ingot proceeding from the at least one seed crystal, wherein the axial orientation of the at least one seed crystal predetermines an axial orientation for the silicon ingot and wherein the at least one seed crystal is configured on the base wall of the container in such a way that a twin formation is avoided in an edge region adjoining the side walls. | 09-12-2013 |
20130298822 | SILICON MELT CONTACT MEMBER, PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION THEREOF, AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCTION OF CRYSTALLINE SILICON - Provided are a silicon melt contact member which is markedly improved in liquid repellency to a silicon melt, which can retain the liquid repellency permanently, and which is suitable for production of crystalline silicon; and a process for efficient production of crystalline silicon, particularly, spherical crystalline silicon having high crystallinity, by use of the silicon melt contact member. A silicon melt contact member having a porous sintered body layer present on its surface, preferably the sintered body layer being present on a substrate of a ceramic material such as aluminum nitride, wherein the porous sintered body layer consists essentially of silicon nitride, has a thickness of 10 to 500 μm, and has, dispersed therein, many pores preferably having an average equivalent circle diameter of 1 to 25 μm at a pore-occupying area ratio of 30 to 80%, the pores connecting to each other to form communicating holes having a depth of 5 μm or more. | 11-14-2013 |
20130312657 | CRYSTAL GROWTH SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEAD-CONTAINED COMPOSITIONS USING BATCH AUTO-FEEDING - This invention includes a system and a method for growing crystals including a batch auto-feeding mechanism. The proposed system and method provide a minimization of compositional segregation effect during crystal growth by controlling growth rate involving a high-temperature flow control system operable in an open and a closed loop crystal growth process. The ability to control the growth rate without corresponding loss of volatilize-able elements enables significantly improvement in compositional homogeneity and a consequent increase in crystal yield. This growth system and method can be operated in production scale, simultaneously for a plurality of growth crucibles to further the reduction of manufacturing costs, particularly for the crystal materials of binary or ternary systems with volatile components, such as Lead (Pb) and Indium (In). | 11-28-2013 |
20140123891 | GROWTH DETERMINATION IN THE SOLIDIFICATION OF A CRYSTALLINE MATERIAL - A method for producing a crystalline material in a crucible in a crystal growth apparatus is disclosed. The method comprises, in part, the step of determining the amount of solidified material present in a partially solidified melt produced during the growth phase using at least one laser positioned at a height above the crucible. A crystal growth apparatus comprising the laser is also disclosed. | 05-08-2014 |
20140174341 | CRUCIBLE FOR GROWING CRYSTALS - A crucible for growing crystals, in particular a sapphire single crystal, includes a base crucible made of W, Mo, Re or an alloy of these materials and an inner lining made of W, Mo, Re or an alloy of these materials. The base crucible has a substantially pot-like form. The inner lining has at least a pot-like first portion, which covers a bottom region of the base crucible, and a jacket-like second portion, which at least partially covers a wall region of the base crucible. The first portion and the second portion are formed by separate components. A process for growing sapphire single crystals using a crucible is also provided. | 06-26-2014 |
20140202377 | CRUCIBLE FOR PRODUCING COMPOUND CRYSTAL, APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COMPOUND CRYSTAL, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING COMPOUND CRYSTAL USING CRUCIBLE - A crucible for use in producing a compound crystal in which a pre-treated product is made by melting a powdery or granular compound raw material and then cooling and solidifying it in a pre-treatment furnace, and the compound crystal is grown by melting the pre-treated product and then cooling and solidifying it in a crystal growing furnace, the crucible comprising: a first member having a bottom portion and a cylindrical portion; and a hollow cylindrical second member that is capable to be connected to the cylindrical portion and to be separated therefrom, wherein: in a state in which the first member and the second member are connected together, a large capacity crucible for manufacture of the pre-treated product is formed; and in a state in which the first member and the second member are separated from one another, a small capacity crucible for crystal growth is formed. | 07-24-2014 |
20140261158 | FURNANCE EMPLOYING COMPONENTS FOR USE WITH GRAPHITE HOT ZONE - A furnace for growing sapphire crystal in which the furnace comprises a furnace housing; a hot zone which comprises insulation and a heater which are both accommodated within the furnace housing; a crucible located within the hot zone and the crucible has an opening. Either a crucible lid covers the opening of the crucible, and the crucible lid has a first conduit which extends therefrom or a crucible enclosure surrounds at least a side wall and a top portion of the crucible and the crucible enclosure is impermeable to at least carbon preventing carbon contamination of a melt contained within the crucible. | 09-18-2014 |
20140360427 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE GROWTH OF A SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIAL - A method for producing the growth of a semiconductor material, in particular of type II-VI, uses a melt of the semiconductor placed in a sealed bulb under vacuum or under controlled atmosphere, the bulb being subjected to a sufficient temperature gradient for first maintaining the melt in the liquid state, then causing its progressive crystallization from the surface towards the bottom. The method further comprises an element capable of floating on the surface of the melt, and equipped with a substantially central bore, intended for receiving a seed crystal for permitting the nucleation leading to the preparation of a seed crystal, and also supporting the seed crystal above the melt while maintaining it in contact with the melt in order to permit the continued crystallization from the seed crystal by lowering the temperature gradient. | 12-11-2014 |
20150090179 | TECHNIQUE FOR CONTROLLING TEMPERATURE UNIFORMITY IN CRYSTAL GROWTH APPARATUS - A sapphire crystal growth apparatus is provided that includes a chamber, a hot zone and a muffle. More specifically, the hot zone is disposed within the chamber and includes at least one heating system, at least one heat removal system, and a crucible containing feedstock. Additionally, a muffle that surrounds at least two sides of the crucible is also provided to ensure uniform temperature distribution through the feedstock during crystal growth to allow the crystalline material to be grown with a square or rectangular shaped cross section. | 04-02-2015 |
20150128849 | CRUCIBLE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF OXIDE CERAMIC SINGLE CRYSTALS - A crucible made of molybdenum or a molybdenum alloy having a molybdenum content of more than 95 at % for producing an oxide-ceramic single crystal. The inner side of the crucible is at least partially provided with a layer that contains at least one refractory metal and is formed with pores. | 05-14-2015 |
20160160382 | COMPOSITE CRUCIBLES AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME - A composite crucible for growing single crystals comprises an outer crucible of a first material, and an inner liner of a second material having a coefficient of thermal expansion differing from the first material. The outer crucible comprises an inside bore. The inner liner is disposed in the inside bore without diffusion bonding or chemical bonding between the outer crucible and the inner liner. In certain non-limiting embodiments, the first material is one of molybdenum and a molybdenum alloy, and the second material is one of tantalum, niobium, a tantalum alloy, and a niobium alloy. | 06-09-2016 |
117083000 | Having bottom-up crystallization (e.g., VFG, VGF) | 11 |
20090031944 | Method for producing compound semiconductor epitaxial substrate having PN junction - Disclosed is a method for producing a compound semiconductor epitaxial substrate having a pn junction by selective growth which is characterized by using a base substrate having an average residual strain of not more than 1.0×10 | 02-05-2009 |
20090241829 | CRYSTAL GROWTH SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LEAD-CONTAINED COMPOSITIONS USING BATCH AUTO-FEEDING - This invention includes a system and a method for growing crystals including a batch auto-feeding mechanism. The proposed system and method provide a minimization of compositional segregation effect during crystal growth by controlling growth rate involving a high-temperature flow control system operable in an open and a closed loop crystal growth process. The ability to control the growth rate without corresponding loss of volatilize-able elements enables significantly improvement in compositional homogeneity and a consequent increase in crystal yield. This growth system and method can be operated in production scale, simultaneously for a plurality of growth crucibles to further the reduction of manufacturing costs, particularly for the crystal materials of binary or ternary systems with volatile components, such as Lead (Pb) and Indium (In). | 10-01-2009 |
20120037066 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING MONOCRYSTALLINE CAST SILICON AND MONOCRYSTALLINE CAST SILICON BODIES FOR PHOTOVOLTAICS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With such methods and apparatuses, a cast body of monocrystalline silicon may be formed that is free of, or substantially free of, radially-distributed impurities and defects and having at least two dimensions that are each at least about 35 cm is provided. | 02-16-2012 |
20130133568 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CRYSTAL GROWTH - Systems and methods for crystal growth are provided. One method includes producing a lateral thermal profile in a furnace having a crucible therein containing a material for growing a crystal. The lateral thermal profile has three zones, wherein the first and third zones have temperatures above and below a melting point of the material, respectively, and the second zone has a plurality of temperatures with at least one temperature equal to the melting point of the material. The method further includes combining the lateral thermal profile with a vertical thermal gradient produced in the furnace, wherein the vertical thermal gradient causes a point in a bottom of the crucible located in the third zone to be the coldest point in the crucible. The method also includes transferring heat from the first and second zones to the third zone to produce a leading edge of the interface. | 05-30-2013 |
20130199440 | MONOCRYSTALLINE SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS - A method of producing a monocrystalline semiconductor material includes providing a starting material composed of the semiconductor material, transferring the starting material into a heating zone in which a melt composed of the semiconductor material is fed with the starting material, and lowering the melt from the heating zone and/or raising the heating zone such that, at a lower end portion of the melt, a solidification front forms along which the semiconductor material crystallizes in a desired structure, wherein the starting material composed of the semiconductor material is provided in liquid form and fed into the melt in liquid form. | 08-08-2013 |
20140102359 | Methods and Apparatus for Manufacturing Monocrystalline Cast Silicon and Monocrystalline Cast Silicon Bodies for Photovoltaics - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With such methods and apparatuses, a cast body of monocrystalline silicon may be formed that is free of, or substantially free of, radially-distributed impurities and defects and having at least two dimensions that are each at least about 35 cm is provided. | 04-17-2014 |
20140190398 | SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING A CRYSTALLINE MATERIAL BY DIRECTIONAL CRYSTALLIZATION PROVIDED WITH AN ADDITIONAL LATERAL HEAT SOURCE - The crystallization system includes a crucible provided with a bottom and with side walls designed to contain the material to be solidified and a device for creating a main thermal gradient inside the crucible in a perpendicular direction to the bottom of the crucible. An additional inductive heating device is arranged at the level of the side walls of the crucible facing the liquid material and without overlapping with the solid phase. This additional inductive heating device is configured to heat a part of the crystalline material located in the vicinity of the triple contact line between the liquid material, the solidified material and the crucible so that the interface between the liquid material and the solidified material forms a convex meniscus in the vicinity of the triple contact line. | 07-10-2014 |
20150013591 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MANUFACTURING CAST SILICON FROM SEED CRYSTALS - Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With these methods, an ingot can be grown that is low in carbon and whose crystal growth is controlled to increase the cross-sectional area of seeded material during casting. | 01-15-2015 |
20150047556 | Method for Purifying Silicon - The present invention relates to a method for purifying silicon, comprising at least the following steps: c) providing a container ( | 02-19-2015 |
20150361577 | METHOD OF CASTING INGOT AND CONTAINING DEVICE OF INGOT CASTING FURNACE FOR CONTAINING MATERIALS OF INGOT - A method of casting an ingot includes the following steps: place solid silicon raw materials on a bottom of a containing device, wherein the containing device includes a container and a graphite layer provided on a surrounding wall and an inner bottom of the container, and the solid silicon raw materials are stacked upon the graphite layer on the inner bottom; heat the container to melt the solid silicon raw material into liquid state; cool the container from the bottom up till all of the silicon raw materials are crystallized and solidified. The solidified silicon raw materials become an ingot. Whereby, the graphite layer can effectively prevent impurities of the container from contaminating the ingot. | 12-17-2015 |
20160130721 | LIQUID-COOLED HEAT EXCHANGER - A crystal growth furnace comprising a crucible containing at least feedstock material and a liquid-cooled heat exchanger that is vertically movable beneath the crucible to extract heat from it to promote the growth of a crystalline ingot is disclosed. The liquid-cooled heat exchanger comprises a heat extraction bulb made of high thermal conductivity material that is vertically movable into thermal communication with the crucible to extract heat from the crucible using a liquid coolant. A liquid-cooled heat exchanger enclosed in a sealed tubular outer jacket is also disclosed as is a method for producing a crystalline ingot using a vertically movable liquid-cooled heat exchanger. | 05-12-2016 |