US4668331A
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Method for forming single crystals of silicon by use of a standing hypersonic wave
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1986-05-12
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Granted: 1987-05-26
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Expires: 2006-05-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to crystallization of solid or molten form crystallizable material deposited by a prior art method on a substrate as a layer of thin or thick film. The invention involves subjecting, during heat treatment causing crystallization or recrystallization, the crystallizable material to a standing hypersonic acoustic wave propagating in either bulk or surface mode at a frequency in the range of 1 to 1000 MHz. The standing wave may have a wavelength that is substantially an integral multiple of a crystal lattice parameter of the crystallizable material as, for example, interatomic spacing, and the integral multiple may range between about 10 and 1,000,000. When applied to silicon, a preferred crystallizable material, the integral multiple ranges in a presently preferred embodiment between about 100 and 2,000. To the extent that the resonance conditions for a standing wave on a given substrate and the integral multiple condition cannot both be simultaneously achieved at all times, the resonance requirement is dominant. It is important that the length between peaks of the standing wave be less than or comparable to the crystal size that would be achieved by the same process in the absence of the acoustic wave.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeremiah P. Ostriker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 03:08
CPC Classifications
C; C30; C30B; C30B1/00; C30B1/02; C30B1/023; C30B13/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S148/00; Y10S148/098
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
In a method of growing a single crystal of crystallizable material having a lattice parameter, wherein a layer of said crystallizable material is deposited on a substrate and is heat treated to cause crystal growth, the improvement comprising the step of subjecting said crystallizable material during said heat treatment to a standing hypersonic wave.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
In a method of growing a single crystal of crystallizable material having a lattice parameter, wherein a layer of said crystallizable material is deposited on a substrate and is heat treated to cause crystal growth, the improvement comprising the step of subjecting said crystallizable material during said heat treatment to a standing hypersonic wave.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 1, wherein said crystallizable material is monatomic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 1, wherein said crystallizable material is metailic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
ln a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 1, the wavelength of said standing wave being an integral multiple of said lattice parameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 4, wherein said integral multiple does not exceed about 1,000,000.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 4, wherein said crystallizable material is silicon, and said integral multiple ranges between about 200 and about 1,000,000.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 4, wherein said crystallizable material is silicon, and said integral multiple ranges between about 200 and about 2,000.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 6, wherein said layer of silicon has a thickness between about 100 microns and about 1,000 microns.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a method, of growing a single crystal according to claim 6, wherein said layer of silicon has a thickness between about 300 microns and about 800 microns.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a method of growing a single crystal accoroing to claim 7, wherein said layer of silicon has a thickness between about 500 microns and about 600 microns.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 6, wherein the surface layer of that portion of the substrate on which the silicon layer is deposited is graphite.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 11, wherein the silicon layer is deposited from silane in an r.f. discharge.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
In a method, of growing a single crystal according to claim 12, wherein the silicon deposition is performed at a temperature below about 450° C.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 13, wherein said integral multiple ranges between about 200 and about 2,000.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 14, wherein said layer of silicon has a thickness between about 100 microns and about 1,000 microns.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 14, wherein said layer of silicon has a thickness between about 500 microns and about 600 microns.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 6, wherein said heat treatment comprirses heating said silicon to a temperature above about 500° C.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 17, wherein said heat treatment is performed at a temperature below the melting point of silicon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 6, wherein said heat treatment comprises the steps of melting said silicon and then gradually cooling said silicon to solidify it.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 10, wherein said heat treatment is performed at a temperature above 500° C. and below the melting point of silicon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 10, wherein said heat treatment comprises the steps of melting said silicon and then gradually cooling said silicon to solidify it.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 6, wherein said silicon is subjected to said standing wave during a portion only of said heat treatment.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a method, of growing a single crystal according to claim 6, wherein said silicon is subjected to said standing wave throughout substantially the entire heat treatment.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 20, wherein said silicon is subjected to said standing wave during a portion only of said heat treatment.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a method, of growing a single crystal according to claim 20, wherein said silicon is subjected to said standing wave throughout substantially the entire heat treatment.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
In a method, of growing a single crystal according to claim 21, wherein said silicon is subjected to said standing wave during a portion only of said heat treatment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
In a method of growing a single crystal according to claim 21, wherein said silicon is subjected to said standing wave throughout substantially the entire heat treatment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method of preparing a multilayer material formed of alternating layers of single crystal crystallizable material having a lattice parameter separated by an insulating material layer, wherein a first said layer of crystlalizable material is deposited on a substrate and is heat treated to cause crystal growth, and wherein at least one additional layer of crystallizable material is deposited over said first layer of insulating material with a layer of insulating material therebetween and is heat treated to cause crystal growth, the improvement comprising the step of subjecting at least one said layer of crystallizable material during said heat treatment thereof to a standing hypersonic wave.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
107 words
In a method of preparing a multilayer material formed of alternating layers of single crystal crystallizable material having a lattice parameter separated by an insulating material layer, wherein a first said layer of crystlalizable material is deposited on a substrate and is heat treated to cause crystal growth, and wherein at least one additional layer of crystallizable material is deposited over said first layer of insulating material with a layer of insulating material therebetween and is heat treated to cause crystal growth, the improvement comprising the step of subjecting at least one said layer of crystallizable material during said heat treatment thereof to a standing hypersonic wave.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
36 words
In a method of preparing a multilayer material according to claim 28, wherein the improvement comprises the step of subjecting each said layer of crystallizable material during said heat treatment thereof to a standing hypersonic wave.
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) | 1990-05-25 | 1990-11-24 | 1991-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-25 | 1994-11-24 | 1995-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-25 | 1998-11-24 | 1999-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |