Continuous melt replenishment for crystal growth
US6217649A · kind A · utility
21Cited by
9References
18Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 2000 |
| Grant date | Apr 17, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T117/1048
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The invention features a method of continuous crystalline growth. A granular source material is introduced into a hopper. A volume of the granular source material exiting the hopper is disposed on a translationally moving belt. The volume of the granular source material forms an angle of repose with the moving belt. The granular source material disposed on the moving belt is continuously fed into a crucible comprising a melt of the granular source material at a rate based on the angle of repose, the speed of the belt, and the size of the opening of the hopper. A crystalline ribbon is continuously grown by solidifying the melt.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.