Crystal support

US6758901B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Crystal Growing Systems GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Winfried Schulmann · Kleinostheim, DE
• Helmut Kaiser · Wolfratshausen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 11, 2002
• Grant date: Jul 6, 2004
• Expiry date: Mar 11, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T117/1072
• WIPO field: Surface technology, coating
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a device for supporting a crystal ingot while pulling a single crystal, in particular such a crystal composed of silicon, according to the Czochralski method. To this end, a crystal support is provided which engages with a specialized bead, which is formed on the neck of the single crystal ingot and which has the shape of a bicone, by means of bearings in a housing. A support of the crystal ingot is thus achieved which may be disengaged at any time, and which has no disruptive effects on crystal growth and which acts independently of the length of the grown crystal. The bearings are moved into the support position on the bicone by a central pulling element which can be independently displaced relative to a second pulling element.