CH718487B1 - Process for the manufacture of a single crystal sapphire seed as well as a sapphire single crystal with preferential crystallographic orientation and trim and functional components for watchmaking and jewellery. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a single crystal of sapphire (6), this method comprising the step of fusing alumina and/or sapphire in a crucible, then bringing the alumina and/ or the molten sapphire in contact with a monocrystalline sapphire seed (1) in order to gradually crystallize the alumina and/or the molten sapphire along a growth direction to form the sapphire single crystal (6), the sapphire seed monocrystalline (1) having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10) , the monocrystalline sapphire seed (1) being a plate (2) delimited by two flat faces (4) which extend parallel and at a distance from each other, this monocrystalline sapphire plate (2) being obtained at from an initial sapphire monocrystal that is cut e so that one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] of the monocrystalline sapphire plate (2) forms with a normal (D1) to the flat faces (4) of this monocrystalline sapphire plate ( 2) an angle (α) whose value is between 5 and 85°. The invention also relates to a single-crystal sapphire seed and a watch crystal blank obtained from such a single-crystal sapphire.

Description

Technical field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a single crystal sapphire seed with preferential crystallographic orientation. The present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a sapphire monocrystal with preferential crystallographic orientation from such a monocrystalline sapphire seed. The present invention also relates to trim and functional components for watchmaking and jewelery cut from such a sapphire monocrystal.

Technology background

[0002] So-called single-crystal materials consist of a single macroscopic crystal, the size of which can vary from one millimeter to several meters. One of the most familiar uses of monocrystals is in jewelry: in fact, many jewelry ornaments are made using single crystals such as rubies, sapphires, diamonds, etc. Although often misunderstood, the role of monocrystals in the field of advanced technologies is nevertheless essential since the silicon used in electronics and in certain photovoltaic cells as well as the components used in very many solid lasers are monocrystalline. From simple laser pointers to power lasers for nuclear fusion, including aircraft turbines and optics, the applications of single-crystal materials are very varied.

[0003] In the form of a single crystal, a compound can have special optical properties such as transparency or birefringence. Pure, the AI2O3 alumina crystal is transparent and is commonly used for the manufacture of watch crystals in watchmaking. Colored by dopants or impurities, AI2O3 alumina crystal is used as a gemstone. The chemical environment of the atoms and ions constituting a monocrystal being perfectly defined and organized in a repetitive way, a dopant introduced into this environment has at its disposal only a few possible sites of occupation, which allows this dopant to give the monocrystal a very specific property. For example, when a single-crystal material is doped to make it a source of laser emission, the dopant is distributed over a limited number of sites, so that the energy emitted by the dopant during its electronic transitions varies only slightly. , which makes it possible to obtain a fine laser emission. Similarly, the precise definition of the sites that a dopant can occupy in a monocrystalline compound makes it possible to modify the property inherent in the presence of such a dopant. For example, the presence of Cr<3+> ions in an alumina crystal causes the red color of ruby, while a beryl (Be3Al2Si6O18) with the same Cr<3+> ion will be green ; it will then be called emerald.

[0004] The presence, in the form of dopants, of defects in a monocrystalline compound is therefore desired with a view to technological applications. On the other hand, the situation is quite different for uncontrolled impurities, structural defects such as dislocations and fractures. It is therefore generally sought to use monocrystals of the highest possible quality. It is possible to find single crystals in nature, but these are usually rare and very defective. This is why many synthetic techniques have been developed since the beginning of the 20th century. There are several types of processes to obtain an artificial monocrystal: from a supersaturated solution of the compound; from the molten compound; by chemical vapor deposition.

We are interested here in the synthesis of single crystals by crystallization in the molten state which represents nearly 80% of the artificial single crystals obtained. It is to the Frenchman Auguste Verneuil that we owe the first process of crystallization in the molten state of monocrystalline compounds. Proposed in 1891 when Verneuil was trying to synthesize rubies for jewelry, the process consists of crystallizing the molten material in contact with a fraction of a monocrystal called the seed previously obtained. To synthesize the corundum of formula Al2O3 which makes up rubies and sapphires, it is necessary to rise to a very high temperature (melting at 2050°C), a temperature which is reached by means of an oxyhydrogen torch H2 + 1⁄2 O2 → H2O whose flame temperature is around 2700°C. Alumina, optionally doped, is introduced in the form of a fine powder by a vibrator which causes small quantities to fall directly into the torch flame. The drop of molten alumina then formed falls at the top of the seed and crystallizes following the crystallographic arrangement of this seed. The growing single crystal is gradually lowered so that the crystallization takes place at a constant temperature. At the end of the synthesis, a single crystal in the shape of a bottle is obtained.

[0006] The Verneuil process is still used today, almost identically, in particular for the industrial production of corundum for jewelry and watchmaking (rubies, sapphires, watch crystals, etc.). Although giving more defective monocrystals than those obtained by other methods, the Verneuil process has the advantage of being relatively inexpensive and fast; by means of this method, it is for example possible to obtain a monocrystal in about ten hours. Nevertheless, the sapphire single crystals obtained by the Verneuil process exhibit high dislocation densities and uncontrollable local disorientations. Other defects also present in Verneuil monocrystals such as bubbles, veils and other inclusions are likely to be seen with the naked eye, for example in a finished watch glass.

The present invention relates to single crystal synthesis processes by crystallization in the molten state in a crucible. In particular, the invention relates to techniques for growing monocrystals of the EFG, HEM, Kyropoulos, Czochralski, Bridgman Vertical, Bridgman Horizontal and Micro Pulling Down type.

[0008] Proposed by J. Czochralski in 1915, the process of the same name constitutes an emblematic method of crystallization in the molten state of single crystals. Based on the same principle as the Verneuil process, namely fusion of the material and crystalline growth in contact with a monocrystalline seed previously obtained, the Czochralski process nevertheless differs from the Verneuil process in that the material to be fused, instead of being added gradually in small quantities, is added in full and melted at the start of the experiment. For this, the material to be fused is placed in a crucible made of a chemically inert material which withstands high temperatures such as, inter alia, platinum or iridium. The crucible is placed in the center of electrically conductive coils through which a high-frequency current passes, which allows the crucible to be heated by induction. Once the material is molten and the temperature has stabilized, a monocrystalline seed obtained beforehand is placed on a refractory rod and brought into contact with the molten material. The seed then slowly rises to a colder zone where the molten material crystallizes on contact with the seed. The monocrystal is thus drawn from the molten material. The refractory rod is in permanent rotation in order to homogenize the layer of material in fusion on the point of crystallizing.

In the Czochralski process, the temperature control must be meticulous because one must be placed very close to the melting of the material to be crystallized without the temperature being too high, because that would cause the melting of the germ which would be lost. . The difficulty of implementing the Czochralski process is however compensated by the high quality of the crystals that it generates, which makes it a proven crystal growth technique from this point of view.

[0010] Sapphire having the chemical composition Al2O3 is suitable, thanks to its exceptional physical properties, for innumerable applications. Sapphire is, after diamond, the hardest and strongest material and can therefore be used in the watch industry and also in industries for high-performance areas. Synthetic sapphire is inert, transparent when polished, acid resistant, of low electrical conductivity and, with a melting point of over 2000°C, is suitable for the most demanding uses. Sapphire is almost indestructible and resists virtually all external aggressions. Sapphire crystals and technical components are scratch resistant, their surface is non-porous, shiny and their transparency is perfect once polished.

[0011] As described above, the processes for synthesizing single crystals by crystallization in the molten state in a crucible make it possible to produce high-quality single-crystal sapphires. These processes are nevertheless expensive because the quality of the crystals sought requires growth rates that are generally slower as well as tools such as crucibles that are larger in number and more complex. Thus, the manufacturing time of a Czochralski monocrystal can be of the order of a week or more. This is why it is sought to produce monocrystals that are as free as possible from defects.

[0012] Watch crystals are obtained by machining blanks cut from a single crystal of sapphire. However, until now, the sapphire single crystals produced by crystallization in the molten state in a crucible are obtained by growing these single crystals in a direction corresponding to one of the main crystallographic axes, generally [A] or [M] of sapphire. These modes of crystal growth currently lead to blanks whose normal to the surface is the crystallographic axis [A] or [M] with the crystallographic axis [C] contained in this surface. However, it was realized that with such a crystallographic orientation, the blanks exhibited greater fragility on machining, which led to more chipping. Watch crystals are therefore more difficult to machine and the scrap rate is higher, which substantially increases the cost price of such crystals.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to remedy the problems mentioned above as well as still others by proposing a process for manufacturing sapphire single crystals making it possible to obtain sapphire single crystals that are less defective and easier to machine. .

[0014] As a preliminary remark, it is important to understand that the monocrystalline sapphire seeds which will be discussed below are cut in a specific way in a first single crystal of sapphire, then that these monocrystalline sapphire seeds are then used to grow second sapphire monocrystals from which the desired crystal blanks will be cut.

To this end, the present invention relates to a process for manufacturing a single-crystal sapphire seed, this single-crystal sapphire seed having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three mutually perpendicular crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M]. and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10), this monocrystalline sapphire seed being a plate delimited by two flat faces which extend parallel and at a distance from one of the other, this monocrystalline sapphire plate being obtained from an initial sapphire monocrystal which is cut so that one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] of the sapphire plate monocrystalline forms with a normal to the flat faces of this monocrystalline sapphire plate an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°.

According to a special embodiment, the present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a monocrystalline sapphire seed, this monocrystalline sapphire seed having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, this monocrystalline sapphire seed being a bar previously obtained from a monocrystal of initial sapphire which is cut so that one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] of the resulting monocrystalline sapphire bar forms with a normal to a cross section of this monocrystalline sapphire bar an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°.

According to another special embodiment, the present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a single crystal of sapphire, this process comprising the step which consists in fusing alumina and/or sapphire in a crucible, then bringing the alumina and/or the molten sapphire into contact with a monocrystalline sapphire seed of the type of a plate or a bar, in order to gradually cause the alumina and/or the molten sapphire to crystallize along a growth direction to form the sapphire single crystal.

According to another special embodiment, the present invention also relates to a process for manufacturing a sapphire single crystal obtained by crystallization in the molten state at a top of a die, this process comprising the step which consists of fusing alumina and/or sapphire in a crucible, then bringing the molten alumina and/or sapphire through channels of the die into contact with a seed of monocrystalline sapphire previously obtained in order to make gradually crystallizing the molten alumina and/or sapphire along a growth direction to form the sapphire single crystal, the single crystal sapphire seed having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, the single crystal sapphire seed being a first plate delimited by two flat faces which extend parallel and at a distance from each other, one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] being perpendicular to the flat faces of the first monocrystalline sapphire plate , this first monocrystalline sapphire plate being inclined at an angle whose value is between 5 and 85° with respect to a perpendicular to the plane defined by the channels of the die, the sapphire monocrystal resulting from the crystal growth being a second monocrystalline sapphire plate delimited by two plane faces which extend parallel and at a distance from each other, this second monocrystalline sapphire plate having a disorientation of its crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] by relative to the normal to its flat faces which corresponds to the inclination of the first plate relative to the channels of the die.

According to particular forms of implementation of the method according to the invention: the crystallographic axis [A] or [M] or [C] forms with the normal to the plane faces of the monocrystalline sapphire plate an angle whose value is between 25 and 35°; the crystallographic axis [A] or [M] or [C] forms with the normal to the plane faces of the monocrystalline sapphire plate an angle whose value is between 5 and 15°; the crystallographic axis [A] or [M] or [C] forms with the normal to the cross section of the monocrystalline sapphire bar an angle whose value is between 25 and 35°; the crystallographic axis [A] or [M] or [C] forms with the normal to the cross section of the monocrystalline sapphire bar an angle whose value is between 5 and 15°; the manufacturing process for the sapphire single crystal is chosen from among the EFG, HEM, Kyropoulos, Czochralski, Bridgman Vertical, Bridgman Horizontal and Micro Pulling Down processes; the alumina and/or the sapphire which is fused are pure or doped; sapphire scrap is used; once the sapphire monocrystal has been obtained, trim or functional components for watchmaking and jewelery are cut out of this sapphire monocrystal; the trim or functional components are bridges, plates, crystals, watch cases and dials, or bracelet links.

According to yet another special embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a monocrystalline sapphire cylinder, this method comprising the step which consists, by means of a cutting tool, in performing in a ball of sapphire monocrystal which has been grown along one of the crystallographic axes [A] or [M] or [C] a coring along a direction which forms with the crystallographic axis of growth of the monocrystal ball of sapphire an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°.

The invention also relates to a monocrystalline sapphire seed having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] which are mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C ( 0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, this monocrystalline sapphire seed being a plate delimited by two plane faces which extend parallel and at a distance from each other, one of the crystallographic axes of the monocrystalline sapphire plate forming with a normal to the plane faces of this monocrystalline sapphire plate an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°.

The invention also relates to a monocrystalline sapphire seed having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] which are mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C ( 0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, this monocrystalline sapphire seed being a monocrystalline sapphire bar, one of the crystallographic axes of which forms with a normal to a straight section of this monocrystalline sapphire bar an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°.

[0023] The invention also relates to a watch crystal blank delimited by two faces which extend at a distance from each other and of which at least one is flat, this blank being made of monocrystalline sapphire having a structure rhombohedral crystallographic defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, the one of the crystallographic axes forming with a normal to the flat face of the blank an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°, so that the crystallographic axis is not included in the flat face of the blank.

[0024] Finally, the invention relates to trim and functional components for watchmaking and jewelry, in particular bridges, plates, crystals, watch cases and dials or even bracelet links, cut from a single crystal of sapphire obtained according to the method of the invention.

Thanks to these characteristics, the present invention provides a method which makes it possible to manufacture watch crystals under facilitated machining conditions. More precisely, the watch crystals obtained by means of the process according to the invention are cut from single crystals of sapphire obtained by crystal growth in contact with a single crystal sapphire seed of the type of a plate or a bar which is machined from so that one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] of the monocrystalline sapphire plate or bar forms with the normal to the plane faces of the plate, respectively with the normal to a straight section of the bar, an angle between 5 and 85°. The blanks of watch crystals which are cut from a single crystal of sapphire obtained by implementing the process according to the invention have one of their crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] angularly offset with respect to a normal to their surface of the same value as the disorientation of one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] of the sapphire seed from which the single crystal of sapphire in which these blanks are cut is obtained. Therefore, the angular offset of the crystallographic axis [A], [C] or [M] with respect to the normal to the flat faces of the plate or of the straight section of the monocrystalline sapphire bar which serves as a seed for the growth crystal of the sapphire monocrystal has the consequence that the crystallographic axis [C] is generally not included in the plane of the blanks of watch crystals, so that the greater fragility in machining that is usually encountered in places where this crystallographic axis [C] intersects the edges of watch crystal blanks is generally avoided. The blanks of watch crystals are therefore less hard and consequently easier to machine. In particular, given that these watch crystal blanks are less fragile, the risks of the edges of these blanks chipping during machining are considerably reduced. In addition, the watch crystals obtained by means of the method of the invention show few, if any, local and uncontrolled dislocations and changes in orientation of the sapphire single crystal.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge more clearly from the following detailed description of an example of implementation of the method according to the invention, this example being given for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes only in connection with the attached drawing on which: FIG. 1 illustrates an EFG-type crystal growth process making it possible to obtain several single crystals of sapphire from a single-crystal sapphire seed of the type of a plate prepared in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 illustrates a watch crystal blank cut from a sapphire monocrystal obtained by crystal growth in contact with a monocrystalline sapphire seed of the plate type prepared in accordance with the invention; FIG. 3 illustrates a monocrystalline sapphire seed of the type of a bar prepared in accordance with the invention; FIG. 4A illustrates a so-called Kyropoulos ball which has been grown along the crystallographic axis [A] and from which a bar is taken which will serve as a seed for the growth of a sapphire single crystal in accordance with the invention; FIG. 4B illustrates a sapphire monocrystal of the type of a Kyropoulos ball obtained by means of the seed of FIG. 4A and in which is removed by means of a diamond tool and according to the direction of growth of this sapphire monocrystal a cylinder making it possible to obtain watch crystal blanks in accordance with the invention; FIG. 4C illustrates a so-called Kyropoulos ball from which a cylinder is taken directly by means of a diamond tool, making it possible to obtain watch crystal blanks in accordance with the invention; FIG. 5 is a top view of a die for growing sapphire single crystals in accordance with another embodiment of the method according to the invention; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional side view of the die of Figure 5; FIG. 7 is a top view of a watch crystal obtained using the method according to the invention and placed between two crossed polarizers; FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the cutting of watch crystal blanks in an EFG type sapphire monocrystal; FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the cutting of watch crystal blanks in a monocrystalline sapphire cylinder.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention proceeds from the general inventive idea which consists in producing in particular watch crystals from a blank cut from a single crystal of sapphire obtained by crystalline growth in the molten state in a crucible in contact with a monocrystalline sapphire seed of the type of a plate or a bar. The originality of the invention lies in particular in the fact that the monocrystalline sapphire seed which is used to grow the sapphire monocrystal in which the crystal blanks are cut is itself cut from a sapphire monocrystal so that the the crystallographic axis [C] which is perpendicular to the crystallographic plane (0001) of the unit cell of the sapphire monocrystal in which these ice blanks are cut is not contained in the plane of the latter. More specifically, the first sapphire monocrystal is cut so that a monocrystalline sapphire seed is obtained of the type of a plate with flat faces in which one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [ M] forms with a normal to the plane faces of the plate, respectively with a cross section of the bar, an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°. Consequently, the disorientation of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] in the seed of monocrystalline sapphire is found in the single crystal of sapphire which is grown in contact with this seed of monocrystalline sapphire, then in the blanks of watch crystals which are cut out of this monocrystal sapphire. Finally, the crystallographic axis [C] is not in the plane of the ice blanks and therefore does not intersect the edges of these blanks. The greater fragility in machining that is usually observed when the crystallographic axis [C] cuts the edges of the blanks of watch crystals is thus avoided. The blanks of watch crystals are thus less fragile and consequently easier to machine. In particular, the risk of chipping is considerably reduced.

[0028] Figure 1 schematically shows an EFG type process for the manufacture of a sapphire single crystal by means of a single crystal sapphire seed obtained in accordance with the invention. Designated by the reference numeral 1, the monocrystalline sapphire seed is of the type of a plate 2 delimited by two flat faces 4 which extend parallel and at a distance from each other. This monocrystalline sapphire seed 1 has a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10- 10) of the unit cell of the sapphire.

According to the invention, the single crystal sapphire seed 1 is cut from a first sapphire single crystal so that for example the crystallographic axis [C] of the resulting plate 2 is rotated around the crystallographic axis [M] to form with a normal D1 to the flat faces 4 of this plate 2 an angle α whose value is between 5 and 85°, for example 10°. The crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] being mutually perpendicular, the crystallographic axis [A] is also offset by the same angle α with respect to the flat faces 4 of the plate 2, while the crystallographic axis [ M] rotates 10° around itself and therefore does not move.

[0030] It will be noted that the techniques for cutting a single crystal sapphire seed in a single sapphire crystal along a preferred direction are known to those skilled in the art in the field of growing sapphire single crystals and will therefore not be detailed here.

As shown in Figure 1, the single crystal sapphire seed 1 is pulled along the crystallographic axis [M] which defines the direction of growth L of sapphire single crystals 6. Each sapphire single crystal 6 is obtained by bringing alumina and/or molten sapphire in contact with the monocrystalline sapphire seed 1 at one of the vertices of a die, then by gradually pulling this monocrystalline sapphire seed 1 along the growth direction L to move it away small -alumina and/or molten sapphire gradually and allow the progressive growth of the sapphire single crystal 6.

According to the invention, the monocrystalline sapphire seed 1 is used to grow the sapphire monocrystals 6 in which the blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 will be cut. These blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 are delimited by two faces which extend at a distance from each other and of which one at least 12 is flat. The monocrystalline sapphire seed 1 is of the type of a plate 2 itself cut out from an initial monocrystal of sapphire so that, for example, its crystallographic axis [C] is turned around the crystallographic axis [M] to form with a normal D1 to the flat faces 4 of the plate 2 an angle α whose value is between 5 and 85°, for example 10°. Subsequently, the disorientation of the crystallographic axes [A] and [C] in the monocrystalline sapphire seed 1 is found in the sapphire single crystals 6 which are grown in contact with this monocrystalline sapphire seed 1, then in the blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 which are cut out of these monocrystals of sapphire 6.

Finally, as shown in Figure 2, due to the disorientation of the crystallographic axes [A] and [C], the crystallographic axis [C] is not included in the flat face 12 of the blanks 8 of the ice of watches 10 and therefore does not cut the edges 14 of these blanks 8. The greater fragility in machining that is usually observed at the places where this crystallographic axis [C] cuts the edges 14 of the blanks 8 of the watch crystals 10 is thus avoided. The blanks 8 of the watch crystals 10 are thus less fragile and consequently easier to machine. In particular, the risk of chipping is considerably reduced and losses are lower.

Figure 3 schematically shows a single crystal sapphire bar 16A used in a crystal growth process, for example of the Kyropoulos type. This 16A monocrystalline sapphire bar has a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10- 10) of the unit cell of the sapphire.

According to the invention and as illustrated in Figure 4A, the monocrystalline sapphire bar 16A is cut from a ball of sapphire monocrystal 18A previously obtained, so that for example the crystallographic axis [A] of the sapphire bar resulting monocrystalline sapphire 16A is rotated around the crystallographic axis [M] to form with a normal D2 to a cross section S of this monocrystalline sapphire bar 16A an angle α whose value is between 5 and 85°, for example 10° . The crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] being mutually perpendicular, the crystallographic axis [C] is also offset by the same angle α with respect to the cross section S of the monocrystalline sapphire bar 16A, while the crystallographic axis [M] revolves around itself and therefore does not move. Thereafter (see FIG. 4B), the disorientation of the crystallographic axes [A] and [C] in the bar of monocrystalline sapphire 16A is found in the ball of monocrystal of sapphire 18B which is grown by putting alumina and/or molten sapphire in contact with this monocrystalline sapphire bar 16A. Subsequently, it is possible, by means of a diamond cutting tool 20, to cut a cylinder of monocrystalline sapphire 16B in the ball of monocrystalline sapphire 18B along the direction of growth D3 of the latter from the bar of monocrystalline sapphire 16A. Blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 in accordance with the invention can then in turn be cut from this monocrystalline sapphire cylinder 16B.

We see in Figure 4C an 18C sapphire monocrystal ball, for example of the Kyropoulos type, in which coring is carried out by means of the cutting tool 20 in a direction which forms with the crystallographic axis [A] of growth of this ball of 18C sapphire monocrystal an angle α whose value is between 5 and 85°, for example 10°. By this means, cylinders of monocrystalline sapphire 16C allowing the cutting of blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 corresponding to the invention can also be obtained.

It will be noted that the techniques for cutting in a preferred direction a monocrystalline sapphire seed in a previously obtained sapphire single crystal ball, for example of the Kyropoulos type, whether this seed is of the type of a plate 2 with flat faces 4 or of the type of a bar 16A are known to those skilled in the art of the field of the growth of single crystals of sapphire and will therefore not be detailed here.

Finally, due to the disorientation of the crystallographic axis [A] relative to the normal to a cross section S of the monocrystalline sapphire bar 16A, the crystallographic axis [C] is generally not located in the face plane 12 of the blanks 8 of the watch crystals 10 and therefore generally do not intersect the edges 14 of these blanks 8. The greater fragility that is usually observed at the places where this crystallographic axis [C] intersects the edges 14 of the crystals of watches 10 is thus avoided. The blanks 8 of the watch crystals 10 are thus less fragile and consequently easier to machine. In particular, the risk of chipping is considerably reduced and losses are lower.

It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described and that various modifications and simple variants can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. In particular, rather than preparing a monocrystalline sapphire seed of the type of a plate whose crystallographic axis forms a non-zero angle with respect to the normal to the flat faces which delimit this plate as explained above, it is also possible, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, to use a monocrystalline sapphire seed 22 of the type of a first plate 24 whose crystallographic axis [C], for example, is conventionally perpendicular to the flat faces 26 which delimit this first plate 24. According to In a special embodiment of the invention, such a single crystal sapphire seed 22 is used to grow sapphire single crystals 28 at the vertices of a die 30 which consists of a plurality of channels 32 which extend parallel and at a distance from each other and inside which rises alumina and/or molten sapphire. This alumina and/or this molten sapphire then comes into contact with the monocrystalline sapphire seed 22 and begins to crystallize to form the sapphire monocrystals 28 in the form of second plates. These second monocrystalline sapphire plates are each delimited by two flat faces 34 which extend parallel and at a distance from each other. In this case, by tilting the monocrystalline sapphire seed 22 by an angle α whose value is between 5 and 85°, for example 10°, with respect to a perpendicular P to the plane in which the channels 32 of the die 30, the second monocrystalline sapphire plates which result from crystal growth have the same disorientation of their crystallographic axis [A] with respect to the normal to their planar faces 34 as the plates obtained by means of a monocrystalline sapphire seed exhibiting a disorientation of its crystallographic axes as described above in connection with figure 1.

Figure 7 is a top view of a watch glass 10 obtained by the method of the invention and placed between two crossed polarizers. It can be seen in this figure 7 that no defect such as dislocations or uncontrolled local change of orientation is visible in the watch crystal 10. It will also be understood that, in accordance with the method of the invention, alumina and/or sapphire. These materials can be pure or doped. The doping materials are preferentially but not limitatively chosen from the group formed by titanium, iron, chromium, cobalt and vanadium used alone or in combination. As for the sapphire used, it is preferably scrap such as poor quality sapphire crystals or else machining offcuts or scrap from the various stages of manufacture of the watch crystals 10. The present invention has been particularly described in connection with the manufacture of watch crystals 10. It goes without saying that this example is given for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes only and that the present invention applies more generally to the manufacture of trim and functional components in particular for watchmaking and jewelery such as bridges, plates, watch cases and dials or even bracelet links.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 are cut from a single crystal of sapphire 6 of the EFG type. As illustrated in FIG. 9, it will be understood that the blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 are machined in a cylinder of monocrystalline sapphire 16B cut out of the ball of monocrystal sapphire 18B along the direction of growth D3 of the latter from the sapphire bar monocrystalline 16A. In other words, the blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 are cut perpendicular to the growth direction D3 of the sapphire monocrystal ball 18B. Typically, the thickness of blanks 8 of watch crystals 10 is between 1 to 2 mm and can reach 10 mm. Finally, it should be noted that, in all of the foregoing, the term "bar" applies to a seed, and the term "cylinder" applies to a sapphire monocrystal.

Nomenclature

[0042] 1 Seed of monocrystalline sapphire 2 Plate 4 Flat faces α Angle D1 Normal L Direction of growth 6 Single crystal of sapphire 8 Blanks 10 Watch crystals 12 Flat face 14 Edges 16A Bar of monocrystalline sapphire 16B Cylinder of monocrystalline sapphire 16C Cylinder of sapphire Single Crystal 18A Sapphire Single Crystal Ball 18B Sapphire Single Crystal Ball 18C Sapphire Single Crystal Ball D2 Normal S Cross Section D3 Growth Direction 20 Cutting Tool 22 Single Crystal Sapphire Seed 24 First Plate 26 Flat Faces 28 Sapphire Single Crystals 30 Die 32 Channels 34 Flat faces

Claims (21)

1. Process for manufacturing a monocrystalline sapphire seed, this monocrystalline sapphire seed (1) having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10), this monocrystalline sapphire seed (1) being a plate (2) delimited by two flat faces (4) which extend parallel and at a distance one from the other, this plate (2) of monocrystalline sapphire being obtained from an initial monocrystal of sapphire which is cut so that one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] of the monocrystalline sapphire plate (2) forms with a normal (D1) to the flat faces (4) of this monocrystalline sapphire plate (2) an angle (a) whose value is between 5 and 85°. 2. Process for manufacturing a single-crystal sapphire seed, this single-crystal sapphire seed having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11- 20), C (0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, this monocrystalline sapphire seed being a monocrystalline sapphire bar (16A) obtained from an initial sapphire monocrystal (18A) which is cut so that one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] of the monocrystalline sapphire bar (16A) forms with a normal (D2) to a straight section (S) of this monocrystalline sapphire bar ( 16A) an angle (a) whose value is between 5 and 85°. 3. Process for manufacturing a single crystal of sapphire (6; 18B), this process comprising the step which consists of fusing alumina and/or sapphire in a crucible, then bringing the alumina and/or the molten sapphire in contact with a monocrystalline sapphire seed obtained by implementing the method according to one of claims 1 and 2 in order to cause the alumina and/or the molten sapphire to gradually crystallize in a direction of growth to form the sapphire single crystal (6). 4. Method of manufacturing a cylinder of monocrystalline sapphire (16C), this cylinder of monocrystalline sapphire (16C) having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, said method comprising the step of carrying out, by means of a cutting tool (20), in a ball of sapphire monocrystal (18C) which has been grown along one of the crystallographic axes [A] or [M] or [C] a coring along a direction which forms with the crystallographic axis of growth of the ball of sapphire monocrystal (18C) an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°. 5. A method of making a sapphire single crystal (28) obtained by crystallization in the molten state at a top of a die, said method comprising the step of fusing alumina and/or sapphire in a crucible, then bringing through channels (32) of the die (30) the alumina and/or the molten sapphire into contact with a seed of monocrystalline sapphire (22) previously obtained in order to gradually crystallize the alumina and/or molten sapphire along a growth direction to form the sapphire single crystal (28), the single crystal sapphire seed (22) having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M ] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, the monocrystalline sapphire seed (22) being a first plate (24) delimited by two planar faces (26) which extend pa parallel and at a distance from each other, one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] being perpendicular to the flat faces (26) of the first plate (24) of monocrystalline sapphire, this first plate (24) of monocrystalline sapphire being inclined at an angle (a) whose value is between 5 and 85° with respect to a perpendicular (P) to the plane defined by the channels (32) of the die (30), the sapphire monocrystal (28) resulting from the crystal growth being a second monocrystalline sapphire plate delimited by two flat faces (34) which extend parallel and at a distance from each other, this second monocrystalline sapphire plate presenting a misorientation of one of its crystallographic axes [A], [M] or [C] with respect to the normal to its planar faces (34) which corresponds to the angle inclination (a) of the first plate ( 24) relative to the channels (32) of the die (30). 6. Manufacturing process according to claim 3, characterized in that the crystallographic axis [A], [M] or [C] forms with the normal (D1) to the flat faces (4) of the monocrystalline sapphire plate (2 ) an angle whose value is between 5 and 35°. 7. Manufacturing process according to claim 6, characterized in that the crystallographic axis [A], [M] or [C] forms with the normal (D1) to the flat faces (4) of the monocrystalline sapphire plate (2 ) an angle whose value is between 15 and 25°. 8. Manufacturing process according to claim 3, characterized in that the crystallographic axis [A], [M] or [C] forms with the normal (D2) to the cross section (S) of the monocrystalline sapphire bar (16A ) an angle whose value is between 5 and 35°. 9. Manufacturing process according to claim 8, characterized in that the crystallographic axis [A], [M] or [C] forms with the normal (D2) to the cross section (S) of the monocrystalline sapphire bar (16A ) an angle whose value is between 15 and 25°. 10. Manufacturing process according to claim 3, characterized in that the manufacturing process of the sapphire single crystal is chosen from among the EFG, HEM, Kyropoulos, Czochralski, Bridgman Vertical, Bridgman Horizontal and Micro Pulling Down processes. 11. Manufacturing process according to claim 4, characterized in that the manufacturing process of the sapphire single crystal is chosen from among the HEM, Kyropoulos, Czochralski, Bridgman Vertical and Bridgman Horizontal processes. 12. Manufacturing process according to claim 5, characterized in that the manufacturing process of the sapphire monocrystal is the EFG process. 13. Manufacturing process according to one of claims 3 to 12, characterized in that the alumina and/or the sapphire which is fused are pure or doped. 14. Manufacturing process according to claim 13, characterized in that sapphire scrap is used. 15. A method of manufacturing trim or functional components for watchmaking and jewelery which consists in cutting these trim components from a single crystal of sapphire obtained by the process according to one of claims 3 to 14. 16. Manufacturing process according to claim 15, characterized in that the covering or functional components are bridges, plates, watch cases and dials or bracelet links. 17. Single crystal sapphire seed (1) exhibiting a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, this monocrystalline sapphire seed (1) being a plate (2) delimited by two flat faces (4) which extend parallel and at a distance from each other, the one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] of the monocrystalline sapphire plate (2) forming with a normal (D1) to the flat faces (4) of this monocrystalline sapphire plate (2) an angle (α ) whose value is between 5 and 85°. 18. Monocrystalline sapphire seed showing a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10- 10) of the rhombohedral structure, this monocrystalline sapphire seed being a monocrystalline sapphire bar (16A) of which one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] forms with a normal (D2) to a cross section (S) of this monocrystalline sapphire bar (16A) an angle (α) whose value is between 5 and 85°. 19. Blank (8) of watch crystal (10) delimited by two faces which extend at a distance from one another and of which at least one (12) is flat, this blank (8) being made in monocrystalline sapphire having a rhombohedral crystallographic structure defining three crystallographic axes [A], [C] and [M] mutually perpendicular and respectively perpendicular to the crystallographic planes A (11-20), C (0001) and M (10-10) of the rhombohedral structure, one of the crystallographic axes [A], [C] or [M] forming with a normal to the plane face of the blank an angle whose value is between 5 and 85°, so that the the crystallographic axis [C] is not included in the flat face (12) of the blank (8) of the watch crystal (10). 20. Dressing and functional components for watchmaking and jewelery cut from a single crystal of sapphire obtained by implementing the manufacturing method according to one of claims 3 to 15. 21. Trim and functional components according to claim 20, characterized in that they are bridges, plates, crystals, watch cases and dials or even bracelet links.