Patent · US Expired

Susceptor for EFG crystal growth apparatus

US5551977A · kind A · utility

4Cited by
5References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 1994
Grant dateSep 3, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 14, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T117/1036
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

An improved susceptor for a crucible/die assembly for growing tubular crystalline structures by the EFG process is provided. The crucible/die assembly comprises a die having a substantially polygonally-shaped top end surface for supporting a film of silicon feed material that is replenished from a melt in the crucible through capillary action. A hollow crystalline body is grown from the film of silicon material on the top end surface of the die. The heat susceptor is made of graphite or similar material, and has a peripheral configuration similar to that of the die. Further, the upper surface of the heat susceptor has a central land and a plurality of circumferentially-spaced upwardly extending projections. The central land thermally contacts a central portion of the lower surface of the crucible/die, and the projections thermally contact the lower surface of the crucible/die at its corners, whereby a temperature distribution is provided that permits growth of hollow bodies having more nearly constant thickness walls.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.