US4436577A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of regulating concentration and distribution of oxygen in Czochralski grown silicon
Assignee: SunEdison Inc
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Filing: 1982-08-09
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Granted: 1984-03-13
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Expires: 2002-08-09
Abstract
Abstract Oxygen concentration and distribution within silicon crystal rods drawn according to the Czochralski process from silicon melt contained in a silica crucible, are regulated through variation of both the magnitude and relative sense of direction of seed and crucible rotation rates with uniform distribution of the oxygen being accomplished by increasing crucible rotation rate to preselected values as a function of crystal rod growth and melt consumption.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger A. Frederick
- 👤 Jerry W. Moody
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 18:49
CPC Classifications
C; C30; C30B; C30B29/00; C30B29/02; C30B29/06; C30B15/00; C30B15/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
In the Czochralski method for producing silicon rods wherein a single crystal silicon rod is grown by pulling from a silicon melt contained in a crucible and said rod and said crucible are rotated in opposite directions, the improvement to provide both axial and radial uniform distribution of oxygen throughout said rod comprising: A. rotating said rod about its axis at a rate greater than the rotation rate of said crucible as said rod is grown, and B. increasing the rotation rate of said crucible as the length of said rod increases.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
In the Czochralski method for producing silicon rods wherein a single crystal silicon rod is grown by pulling from a silicon melt contained in a crucible and said rod and said crucible are rotated in opposite directions, the improvement to provide both axial and radial uniform distribution of oxygen throughout said rod comprising: A. rotating said rod about its axis at a rate greater than the rotation rate of said crucible as said rod is grown, and B. increasing the rotation rate of said crucible as the length of said rod increases.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improved method of claim 1 wherein the radial and axial oxygen concentration gradient in said rod is less than about 8 ppma.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improved method of claim 1 wherein the oxygen content of said rod is regulated within the range of from about 15 ppma to about 40 ppma by proper selection of the crucible initial rotation rate and programmed rotation rate increase as the length of said rod increases to maintain the desired oxygen content.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improved method of claim 3 wherein said crucible rotation rate is increased from about 1 to about 40 rpm as said rod is grown.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved method of claim 1 wherein the axial oxygen concentration gradient is less than about 6 ppma.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The improved method of claim 1 wherein the radial oxygen concentration gradient is less than about 5 ppma.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The improved method of claim 1 wherein said rod rotation rate is held constant as the rod is grown at a rate greater than the maximum rotation rate of said crucible obtained.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said rod rotation rate is increased as said crucible rate of rotation is increased.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-13 | 1987-09-12 | 1988-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-13 | 1991-09-12 | 1992-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-13 | 1995-09-12 | 1996-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |