Patent · US Expired

Crystal puller and method for growing monocrystalline silicon ingots

US6663709B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
24References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 26, 2001
Grant dateDec 16, 2003
Priority date
Expiry dateJul 26, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T117/1072
  • WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A crystal puller and method for growing monocrystalline silicon ingots includes first and second electrical resistance heaters in the crystal puller in longitudinal, closely spaced relationship with each other to radiate heat toward the ingot as the ingot is pulled upward within the housing. In one embodiment, the first heater is powered when the ingot is pulled upward to a first axial position above the surface of the molten silicon and the second heater is powered when the ingot is pulled upward to a second axial position above the first axial position. In another embodiment the first and second heaters are powered until the ingot is separated from the molten silicon and then the heating power output of the first and second heaters is reduced to substantially increase the cooling rate at which the ingot is cooled. An adapter mounting the heaters may also be provided for adapting existing crystal pullers to incorporate the heaters.

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