Method and apparatus for crystal growth with shape and segregation control

Claim 2

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material: (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible: (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a plurality of shaper walls which define plural separate crystal growth zones, each crystal growth zone defined by a shaper wall connected by a passageway to the bulk melt to permit simultaneous production of plural monocrystalline bodies, each shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and wherein the passageways in the float from the bulk melt to each growth zone are sufficiently long to prevent diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt.

Claim 3

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material: (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float from the bulk melt to the growth zone which is sufficiently long to prevent diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt wherein the float has a flat bottom portion which meets the top surface of the bulk melt, and the passageway is formed as a channel in the bottom portion of the float which extends horizontally from an opening through a long path to the crystal growth zone.

Claim 4

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material: (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float from the bulk melt to the growth zone which is sufficiently long to prevent diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt wherein the float has a flat bottom portion which meets the top surface of the bulk melt, and the passageway is formed as a channel in the bottom portion of the float which extends horizontally from an opening through a long path to the crystal growth zone.

Claim 5

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible: (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float from the bulk melt to the growth zone which is sufficiently long to prevent diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt wherein the shaper wall is an outwardly facing wall and the float has a top surface which intersects the shaper wall at the shaper edge, the passageway opening onto the top surface, at least the top surface being wettable by the melt.

Claim 6

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible: (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float from the bulk melt to the growth zone which is sufficiently long to prevent diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt wherein the shaper wall is an outwardly facing wall and the float has a top surface which intersects the shaper wall at the shaper edge, the passageway opening onto the top surface, at least the top surface being wettable by the melt.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the float has an upwardly extending peripheral rim which encloses the remainder of the float and prevents bulk melt from flowing over the float thereby to help support the float.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the top surface of the float is separated by a stem above the rest of the float, wherein the float includes a peripheral float collar enclosing a volume which helps float the shaper and also surrounding a volume which is in communication with the bulk melt through the passageway, and wherein the top surface has openings therein to allow melt to pass from the volume of melt held within the collar onto the top surface of the shaper.

Claim 9

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt, comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float to allow flow of melt from the bulk melt to the crystal growth zone; and (d) means for monitoring the temperature of the float adjacent the shaper wall and controlling the heat applied to the bulk melt by the heater means so that the float can be maintained at a temperature near and above the solidifying temperature of the melt to maintain control over the cross-section of the growing crystal.

Claim 10

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt, comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float to allow flow of melt from the bulk melt to the crystal growth zone; and (d) means for monitoring the temperature of the float adjacent the shaper wall and controlling the heat applied to the bulk melt by the heater means so that the float can be maintained at a temperature near and above the solidifying temperature of the melt to maintain control over the cross-section of the growing crystal.

Claim 11

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the float is wetted by the melt.

Claim 12

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the passageway is sufficiently long and narrow that the flow through the passageway prevents dopant diffusion from the growth zone to the bulk melt.

Claim 13

The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the means for monitoring temperature includes a thermocouple mounted to the float adjacent the shaper wall, and wherein the heater means comprises an electrical heater coil around the crucible and the means monitors the temperature with the thermocouple and supplys electrical power to the heater coil when the monitored temperature of the float drops below a desired temperature.

Claim 14

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt, comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float to allow flow of melt from the bulk melt to the crystal growth zone; and (d) means for monitoring the temperature of the float adjacent the shaper wall and controlling the heat applied to the bulk melt by the heater means so that the float can be maintained at a temperature near and above the solidifying temperature of the melt to maintain control over the cross-section of the growing crystal wherein there are a plurality of shaper walls which define plural separate crystal growth zones, and wherein the means for monitoring temperature monitors the temperature at positions adjacent to each shaper wall.

Claim 15

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt, comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; (c) a float which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein including a shaper edge that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float to allow flow of melt from the bulk melt to the crystal growth zone; and (d) means for monitoring the temperature of the float adjacent the shaper wall and controlling the heat applied to the bulk melt by the heater means so that the float can be maintained at a temperature near and above the solidifying temperature of the melt to maintain control over the cross-section of the growing crystal wherein there are a plurality of shaper walls which define plural separate crystal growth zones, and wherein the means for monitoring temperature monitors the temperature at positions adjacent to each shaper wall.

Claim 16

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; (c) a float positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a wall therein that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone, and means for flowing melt through a passageway in the float from the bulk melt to the growth zone while preventing diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt; and (d) means for monitoring the temperature of the float adjacent the wall of the float and controlling the heat applied to the bulk melt by the heater means so that the float can be maintained at a temperature sufficiently near and above the solidifying temperature of the melt.

Claim 17

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; (c) a float positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a wall therein that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone, and means for flowing melt through a passageway in the float from the bulk melt to the growth zone while preventing diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt; and (d) means for monitoring the temperature of the float adjacent the wall of the float and controlling the heat applied to the bulk melt by the heater means so that the float can be maintained at a temperature sufficiently near and above the solidifying temperature of the melt.

Claim 18

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the float is wetted by the melt.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the float is not wetted by the bulk melt and is less dense than the bulk melt, and including weights on the float to press the float into the melt to help force melt through the passageway to the growth zone.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the float has a flat bottom portion which meets the top surface of the bulk melt, and the passageway is formed as a channel in the bottom portion of the float which extends horizontally from an opening through a long path to the crystal growth zone.

Claim 21

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; and (c) a float positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a wall therein that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and a bottom wall separating the crystal growth zone from the bulk melt, and means for flowing melt through a passageway from the bulk melt to the growth zone having a portion which extends horizontally while preventing diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt.

Claim 22

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; and (c) a float positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float capable of floating on the bulk melt, the float having a wall therein that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and a bottom wall separating the crystal growth zone from the bulk melt, and means for flowing melt through a passageway from the bulk melt to the growth zone having a portion which extends horizontally while preventing diffusion of dopants from the crystal growth zone toward the bulk melt.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the float is wetted by the melt and the material of the float is denser than the melt, and including buoy portions to support the float on the bulk melt.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the float is not wetted by the bulk melt and is less dense than the bulk melt, and including weights on the float to press the float into the melt to help force melt through the passageway to the growth zone.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the passageway extends horizontally through a path which includes at least one turn.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the passageway is formed as a spiral channel.

Claim 27

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the passageway is longer than the horizontal width of the bottom wall of the float.

Claim 28

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt, comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; and (c) a float of material wetted by the melt which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float having flotation structure enclosing a volume to support the float on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float to allow flow of melt from the bulk melt to the crystal growth zone.

Claim 29

Apparatus for growing a monocrystalline body from a bulk melt, comprising: (a) a crucible having lateral walls for containing the bulk melt of molten material; (b) heater means for heating the bulk melt within the crucible; and (c) a float of material wetted by the melt which is positioned on the surface of the bulk melt, the float having flotation structure enclosing a volume to support the float on the bulk melt, the float having a shaper wall therein that defines the boundary of a crystal growth zone and of the cross-section of the monocrystalline body that is formed as the molten material solidifies, and a passageway in the float to allow flow of melt from the bulk melt to the crystal growth zone.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the passageway is sufficiently long and narrow that the flow through the passageway prevents dopant diffusion from the growth zone to the bulk melt.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 21 including means for monitoring the temperature of the float adjacent the shaper wall and controlling the heat applied to the bulk melt by the heater means so that the float can be maintained at a temperature sufficiently near and above the solidifying temperature of the melt to maintain control over the cross-section of the growing crystal.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein there are a plurality of shaper walls which define plural separate crystal growth zones, each crystal growth zone defined by a shaper wall connected by a passageway to the bulk melt to permit simultaneous production of plural monocrystalline bodies.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the shaper wall is an outwardly facing wall and the float has a top surface which intersects the shaper wall at the shaper edge, the passageway opening onto the top surface, the top surface being wettable by the melt.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the flotation structure comprises an upwardly extending peripheral rim which encloses the remainder of the float and prevents bulk melt from flowing over the float thereby to help support the float.

Claim 35

The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the top surface of the float is separated by a stem above the rest of the float, wherein the flotation structure includes a peripheral float collar enclosing a volume which helps float the shaper and also surrounding a volume which is in communication with the bulk melt through the passageway, and wherein the top surface has openings therein to allow melt to pass from the volume of melt held within the collar onto the top surface of the shaper.