Crystal pulling from molten melts including solute introduction means below the seed-melt interface

Claim 1

The apparatus for growing crystalline bodies as defined in claim 1 wherein means is provided for maintaining the surface of the melt at a substantially constant level during crystal growth, and the solute introducing means is an immovably supported, substantially closed container within the melt having a surface portion under the seed-melt contact interface, the surface portion is generally parallel to and within about one-eighth inch below the seed-melt interface, and the surface portion has a porous opening therein through which solute diffuses to the seed-melt interface.

Claim 2

An apparatus for horizontally grooving a crystalline ribbonlike body which comprises means for containing a liquid melt of a solvent metal and a solute, means for maintaining said melt at a selected temperature, means for maintaining said melt at a substantially constant level, means for horizontally holding a crystalline seed with one end in contact with said melt, means for removing the heat of fusion from said one end of said seed to produce progressive precipitation of said solute on said one end, means for suppressing the net loss of the heat of fusion from the balance of said seed contacting said melt to regulate progressive precipitation of said solute thereon, a substantially closed solute container means disposed within the melt container and having a surface portion generally parallel to and within about one-eighth inch below said melt level, a porous opening in said surface portion through which solute passes to substantially continuously introduce solute into said melt under said seed-melt contact region, and means for horizontally pulling said seed away from said melt at a rate commensurate with the rate of progressive solute precipitation on said one end thereof to thereby produce a flat crystalline ribbon of predetermined thickness.