Apparatus for casting silicon with gradual cooling
US4915723A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 30, 1989 |
| Grant date | Apr 10, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 30, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC30B11/003
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
For the continuous casting of silicon, an electrically conductive bottomless crucible is circumferentially divided by axial slits and is positioned within an electrical induction coil. The slits form circumferential gaps of between 0.3 mm and 1.0 mm and the inner wall of the crucible is inclined by between 0.4.degree. and 2.0.degree., so that the crucible expands in the downstream direction of movement of the silicon. In order to reduce the temperature gradient of the solidified silicon to between 20.degree. C./cm and 100.degree. C./cm, an additional heating element is disposed downstream of the boundary surface between the molten and solidified silicon. The crucible may be cooled by forming the crucible as a double walled cylinder and flowing a coolant therethrough.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.