Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for forming crystals

US6077410A · kind A · utility

0Cited by
5References
15Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 31, 1996
Grant dateJun 20, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 31, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC25D9/08
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

Creating relatively pure and consistent crystals of high performance minerals, such as diamond, has long been pursued. Unfortunately, synthesizing crystals that exhibit deep bonding generally requires high temperatures and high pressures for the formation of large crystals. Alternatively, high pressure and explosive shock waves can also be utilized, as demonstrated by closed-bomb diamond synthesis. Diamond crystal formation at lower temperatures and pressures have been demonstrated, but the formations have been thin and inconsistent. A method of forming diamond and the synthesis of other high performance crystals that are consistent, and can be grown to larger sizes has not existed, nor has a means of providing uniform and consistent thin layers of diamond and other such crystals been demonstrated. The present invention solves those needs by providing a method and apparatus with which to grow uniform and consistent thin sections as well as large crystals that are deeply bonded, and to do so at lower temperatures and pressures then is currently possible, and at lower cost.

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