US20190153615A1 - Crystal pulling method including crucible and conditioning members - Google Patents
Crystal pulling method including crucible and conditioning members Download PDFInfo
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- US20190153615A1 US20190153615A1 US16/250,663 US201916250663A US2019153615A1 US 20190153615 A1 US20190153615 A1 US 20190153615A1 US 201916250663 A US201916250663 A US 201916250663A US 2019153615 A1 US2019153615 A1 US 2019153615A1
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- melt
- bodies
- crucible
- barrier
- zone
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C30—CRYSTAL GROWTH
- C30B—SINGLE-CRYSTAL GROWTH; UNIDIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION OF EUTECTIC MATERIAL OR UNIDIRECTIONAL DEMIXING OF EUTECTOID MATERIAL; REFINING BY ZONE-MELTING OF MATERIAL; PRODUCTION OF A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; SINGLE CRYSTALS OR HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; AFTER-TREATMENT OF SINGLE CRYSTALS OR A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C30B15/00—Single-crystal growth by pulling from a melt, e.g. Czochralski method
- C30B15/20—Controlling or regulating
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C30—CRYSTAL GROWTH
- C30B—SINGLE-CRYSTAL GROWTH; UNIDIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION OF EUTECTIC MATERIAL OR UNIDIRECTIONAL DEMIXING OF EUTECTOID MATERIAL; REFINING BY ZONE-MELTING OF MATERIAL; PRODUCTION OF A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; SINGLE CRYSTALS OR HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; AFTER-TREATMENT OF SINGLE CRYSTALS OR A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C30B15/00—Single-crystal growth by pulling from a melt, e.g. Czochralski method
- C30B15/002—Continuous growth
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C30—CRYSTAL GROWTH
- C30B—SINGLE-CRYSTAL GROWTH; UNIDIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION OF EUTECTIC MATERIAL OR UNIDIRECTIONAL DEMIXING OF EUTECTOID MATERIAL; REFINING BY ZONE-MELTING OF MATERIAL; PRODUCTION OF A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; SINGLE CRYSTALS OR HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; AFTER-TREATMENT OF SINGLE CRYSTALS OR A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C30B15/00—Single-crystal growth by pulling from a melt, e.g. Czochralski method
- C30B15/02—Single-crystal growth by pulling from a melt, e.g. Czochralski method adding crystallising materials or reactants forming it in situ to the melt
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C30—CRYSTAL GROWTH
- C30B—SINGLE-CRYSTAL GROWTH; UNIDIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION OF EUTECTIC MATERIAL OR UNIDIRECTIONAL DEMIXING OF EUTECTOID MATERIAL; REFINING BY ZONE-MELTING OF MATERIAL; PRODUCTION OF A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; SINGLE CRYSTALS OR HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; AFTER-TREATMENT OF SINGLE CRYSTALS OR A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C30B15/00—Single-crystal growth by pulling from a melt, e.g. Czochralski method
- C30B15/10—Crucibles or containers for supporting the melt
- C30B15/12—Double crucible methods
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C30—CRYSTAL GROWTH
- C30B—SINGLE-CRYSTAL GROWTH; UNIDIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION OF EUTECTIC MATERIAL OR UNIDIRECTIONAL DEMIXING OF EUTECTOID MATERIAL; REFINING BY ZONE-MELTING OF MATERIAL; PRODUCTION OF A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; SINGLE CRYSTALS OR HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; AFTER-TREATMENT OF SINGLE CRYSTALS OR A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C30B29/00—Single crystals or homogeneous polycrystalline material with defined structure characterised by the material or by their shape
- C30B29/02—Elements
- C30B29/06—Silicon
Definitions
- This disclosure generally relates to monocrystalline pulling systems for forming ingots of semiconductor or solar material from a melt and more particularly to systems and methods including a crucible and conditioning members disposed within a cavity of the crucible to contact the melt.
- polycrystalline silicon is melted within a crucible, such as a quartz crucible, of a crystal pulling device to form a silicon melt.
- a puller lowers a seed crystal into the melt and slowly raises the seed crystal out of the melt, solidifying the melt onto the seed crystal to form an ingot.
- polycrystalline silicon is added to the melt while the seed crystal is raised out of the melt.
- the addition of polycrystalline silicon may generate micro-voids in the melt.
- the micro-voids generally have diameters less than 10 micrometers.
- the micro-voids in the melt may be incorporated into the ingot during formation of the ingot.
- Prior continuous Czochralski systems have not succeeded in eliminating these micro-voids.
- a system for forming an ingot from a melt includes a crucible defining a cavity for receiving the melt and a first barrier disposed in the cavity to inhibit movement of the melt.
- the crucible and the first barrier form an outer zone.
- the first barrier includes a first passageway.
- the system also includes a second barrier disposed in the cavity to inhibit movement of the melt from outward of the second barrier to inward of the second barrier.
- the first barrier and the second barrier define a transition zone therebetween.
- the second barrier forms an inner zone and includes a second passageway.
- the first passageway and the second passageway are arranged to allow the melt located within the outer zone to move into and through the transition zone and into the inner zone.
- the system further includes conditioning members positioned in the transition zone between the first barrier and the second barrier. The conditioning members are arranged to contact the melt in the transition zone and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
- a system for forming an ingot from a melt includes a crucible assembly defining a cavity for receiving the melt.
- the cavity is separated into an inner zone, an outer zone, and a transition zone.
- the inner zone defines a growth area for the ingot.
- the system also includes a feeder system to deliver solid feedstock material into the cavity.
- the solid feedstock material is arranged to form the melt.
- the system further includes bodies positioned in the outer zone of the cavity. The bodies are arranged to contact the solid feedstock material and the melt and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
- a method for pulling a crystal ingot from a melt in a crystal pulling system includes a crucible defining a cavity.
- the method includes placing conditioning members within the cavity and placing feedstock material into the cavity.
- the method also includes melting the feedstock material to form the melt.
- a melt line is defined by a surface of the melt.
- the conditioning members include quartz bodies arranged at the melt line to contact the melt and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a crystal pulling system.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a portion of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system in the configuration shown in FIG. 8 .
- FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system in the configuration shown in FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system in the configuration shown in FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a crystal pulling system including a weir and an inner crucible.
- FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system shown in FIG. 14 .
- FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a crystal pulling system including an inner crucible.
- FIG. 17 is a graph comparing normalized area counts of ingots.
- FIG. 18 is a graph of normalized area counts of an ingot.
- FIG. 19 is a graph of normalized area counts of an ingot.
- FIG. 20 is a graph of normalized area counts of an ingot.
- FIG. 21 is a graph showing the mass of bodies dissolved for different configurations of a crystal pulling system.
- Crystal pulling system 100 is shown schematically and is indicated generally at 100 .
- Crystal pulling system 100 may be used to produce an ingot by a Czochralski method.
- the illustrated crystal pulling system 100 includes a susceptor 102 supporting a crucible assembly 104 that contains a melt 106 of semiconductor or solar grade material (e.g., silicon). Melt 106 may be formed by heating a solid feedstock material 111 .
- a seed crystal 112 is lowered by a puller 110 into melt 106 and then slowly raised from melt 106 .
- silicon atoms from melt 106 align themselves with and attach to seed crystal 112 to form an ingot 108 .
- the illustrated system 100 also includes a heat shield 114 to shield ingot 108 from radiant heat from melt 106 and allow ingot 108 to solidify.
- Crucible assembly 104 includes a first crucible 116 , a second crucible 118 , and a third crucible 119 .
- system 100 may include one or more weirs in addition to or in place of any of first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 .
- crucible assembly 104 may be constructed of any suitable material that enables system 100 to function as described.
- crucible assembly 104 may be constructed of quartz.
- First crucible 116 includes a first base 120 and a first sidewall 122 .
- Second crucible 118 includes a second base 124 and a second sidewall 126 .
- Third crucible 119 includes a third base 128 and a third sidewall 130 .
- first sidewall 122 extends around the circumference of first base 120 and second sidewall 126 extends around the circumference of second base 124 .
- Third sidewall 130 extends around the circumference of third base 128 .
- a first cavity 132 is formed by first sidewall 122 and first base 120 of first crucible 116 .
- a second cavity 133 is formed by second sidewall 126 and second base 124 of second crucible 118 .
- crucible assembly 104 may include any crucible that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- First crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 may have any shape that enables system 100 to operate as described herein.
- first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and/or third crucible 119 may include a curved base having any suitable curvature.
- first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 are sized and shaped to allow placement of second crucible 118 and third crucible 119 within cavity 132 of first crucible 116 .
- first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 are sized and shaped to allow placement of third crucible 119 within second cavity 133 of second crucible 118 .
- Each of first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 may have any suitable diameter that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 may have diameters of 40, 36, 32, 28, 24, 20, 22, or 16-inches.
- first crucible 116 may have an external diameter of 36-inches
- second crucible 118 may have an external diameter of 22-inches
- third crucible 119 may have an external diameter of 16-inches.
- First crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 form an outer zone 134 , a transition zone 136 , and an inner zone 138 .
- Outer zone 134 is formed in cavity 132 between first sidewall 122 and second sidewall 126 .
- Inner zone 138 is formed within third crucible 119 .
- Transition zone 136 is formed in second cavity 133 between second crucible 118 and third crucible 119 .
- the size of outer zone 134 , transition zone 136 , and inner zone 138 is determined by the size of first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 .
- inner zone 138 has a diameter equal to the diameter of third crucible 119 .
- inner zone 138 has a diameter of at least 16-inches. Moreover, in this embodiment, inner zone 138 is substantially free of barriers and obstructions. As a result, the growth area for ingot 108 may be increased and the distance from the growth area to any barriers, such as third sidewall 130 , may be increased in comparison to some known systems. Moreover, inner zone 138 provides a larger free surface area for melt 106 and allows better oxygen release than some known systems.
- Second crucible 118 and third crucible 119 extend perpendicular to a surface of melt 106 and form vertical barriers that limit melt 106 flowing from outer zone 134 into inner zone 138 .
- Crucible passageways 162 , 164 extend through sidewall 126 of second crucible 118 and sidewall 130 of third crucible 119 for melt 106 to move from outer zone 134 into inner zone 138 .
- Crucible passageways 162 , 164 may be positioned along second base 124 to increase the distance that melt 106 travels to move into inner zone 138 .
- second crucible 118 and third crucible 119 may include any suitable number of passageways.
- a barrier 140 is located in outer zone 134 between first sidewall 122 and second sidewall 126 .
- Barrier 140 extends parallel to a surface of melt 106 and limits movement of melt 106 through outer zone 134 towards inner zone 138 . Accordingly, barrier 140 forms a horizontal barrier that limits melt 106 flowing from outer zone 134 into inner zone 138 .
- Barrier 140 includes quartz pieces or more broadly bodies 142 and gaps 144 defined between bodies 142 . In operation, melt 106 may flow through gaps 144 .
- bodies 142 are randomly arranged within outer zone 134 and gaps 144 form a labyrinth or circuitous path for melt 106 to flow through. Accordingly, barrier 140 may slow the movement of melt 106 through outer zone 134 .
- bodies 142 may be arranged in any manner that enables crystal pulling system 100 to operate as described.
- Bodies 142 may act as conditioning members that condition melt 106 and/or feedstock material 111 .
- condition means to change a characteristic of a material
- conditioning is used to describe a device that changes a characteristic of the material.
- barrier 140 may change characteristics of melt 106 , such as argon content of melt 106 and the number of gas-filled micro-voids within melt 106 , and reduce defects in ingot 108 .
- bodies 142 may have different characteristics than feedstock material 111 to facilitate bodies 142 functioning as described.
- bodies 142 may have a greater resistance to heat than feedstock material 111 . Accordingly, bodies 142 will remain in a solid state for a longer period of time than feedstock material 111 .
- bodies 142 may remain substantially solid throughout operation of system 100 .
- bodies 142 may be constructed of quartz and feedstock material 111 may include chunk polysilicon. In such embodiments, at least some of the bodies 142 may be substantially larger than most of the chunks of feedstock material 111 .
- bodies 142 may be positioned anywhere in outer zone 134 . In this embodiment, bodies 142 are positioned between first sidewall 122 and second sidewall 126 adjacent the surface of melt 106 . Also, in this embodiment, bodies 142 are not located within inner zone 138 . Precise alignment and positioning of bodies 142 may not be required during assembly of system 100 because bodies 142 may be randomly arranged. In addition, the position of bodies 142 may shift during operation of system 100 .
- bodies 142 may be buoyant and float close to the surface of melt 106 . Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1 , bodies 142 may be stacked such that barrier 140 extends above and/or below the surface of melt 106 . In suitable embodiments, bodies 142 may extend up to and beyond a melt line of a solid feedstock material 111 . In other embodiments, bodies 142 may occupy any portion of system 100 that enables system 100 to operate as described. For example, in some embodiments, bodies 142 may fill outer zone 134 .
- bodies 142 are free to move. In other words, bodies 142 are not connected to each other or to crucible assembly 104 . As a result, the cost of assembling system 100 may be reduced. Moreover, the reliability of system 100 is increased because bonds that may fail during operation of system 100 are omitted. In other embodiments, at least some bodies 142 may be connected to first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and/or other bodies 142 .
- Bodies 142 may be placed in system 100 at any suitable time.
- bodies 142 may be placed in system 100 prior to solid feedstock material 111 being melted.
- bodies 142 may be added after solid feedstock material 111 is melted, which may reduce the consumption of bodies 142 during operation of system 100 .
- bodies 142 of barrier 140 may be consumed by melt 106 and it may be necessary to replenish bodies 142 of barrier 140 . Accordingly, bodies 142 may be added continuously or intermittently during operation of system 100 . In suitable embodiments, bodies 142 may be added to barrier 140 at a rate equal to the rate of consumption of bodies 142 . In some embodiments, system 100 may include automated means, such as a feeder system, to add bodies 142 . In other embodiments, bodies 142 may be added manually to system 100 . In some embodiments, barrier 140 may include bodies 142 that do not need to be replenished. In further embodiments, barrier 140 may include extra bodies 142 to account for any consumption during operation of system 100 .
- crystal pulling system 100 includes heat shield 114 extending adjacent crucible assembly 104 .
- Heat shield 114 covers a portion of inner zone 138 and all of outer zone 134 to prevent line-of-sight polysilicon projectiles from reaching the inner melt surface during the addition of solid feedstock material 111 .
- heat shield 114 prevents gas from outer zone 134 from entering inner zone 138 .
- Heat shield 114 includes a leg 146 . Leg 146 extends into cavity 132 between second crucible 118 and third crucible 119 .
- crystal pulling system 100 may include any suitable heat shield 114 that enables crystal pulling system 100 to operate as described.
- Solid feedstock material 111 may be placed or supplied into outer zone 134 from a feeder 150 through a feed tube 152 .
- Feed tube 152 is disposed adjacent first crucible 116 for supplying feedstock material 111 to first crucible 116 at a location that is outward of second crucible 118 .
- Feedstock material 111 has a much lower temperature than the surrounding melt 106 . Accordingly, feedstock material 111 absorbs heat from melt 106 as the temperature of feedstock material 111 increases and the solid feedstock material 111 liquefies in outer zone 134 to form an outer melt portion. As solid feedstock material 111 (sometimes referred to as “cold feedstock”) absorbs energy from melt 106 , the temperature of the surrounding melt 106 falls proportionately to the energy absorbed. Barrier 140 enables solid feedstock material 111 to melt completely within the outer zone and increases the uniformity of melt 106 within the inner zone.
- the amount of feedstock material 111 added to crucible assembly 104 is controlled by feeder 150 , which is responsive to activation signals from a controller 154 .
- the diameter and growth rate of ingot 108 is precisely determined and controlled by controller 154 .
- the addition of feedstock material 111 may be based on the mass of the silicon in the crucible, which may be determined by measuring the weight or liquid height of the melt.
- barrier 140 slows the movement of solid feedstock material 111 to facilitate solid feedstock material 111 melting completely within the outer zone.
- Heat is provided to crucible assembly 104 by heaters 156 and 158 arranged at suitable positions about crucible assembly 104 . Heat from heaters 156 and 158 initially melts solid feedstock material 111 and then maintains melt 106 in a liquefied state. Heater 156 is generally cylindrical in shape and provides heat to the sides of the crucible assembly 104 . Heater 158 provides heat to the bottom of crucible assembly 104 . In some embodiments, heater 158 may be generally annular in shape. In other embodiments, system 100 may include any heaters that enable system 100 to operate as described.
- heaters 156 and 158 may be resistive heaters coupled to controller 154 , which controllably applies electric current to the heaters to alter their temperature.
- the amount of current supplied to each of heaters 156 and 158 by controller 154 may be separately and independently chosen to optimize the thermal characteristics of melt 106 .
- seed crystal 112 is attached to a portion of puller 110 located over melt 106 .
- Puller 110 provides movement of seed crystal 112 in a direction perpendicular to the surface of melt 106 and allows seed crystal 112 to be lowered down toward or into melt 106 , and raised up or out of melt 106 .
- the area adjacent to seed crystal 112 /ingot 108 must be maintained free of micro-voids in melt 106 that could be incorporated into ingot 108 .
- barrier 140 and second crucible 118 limit the surface disturbances and number of feedstock 111 particles in the area immediately adjacent to seed crystal 112 /ingot 108 by limiting the movement of melt 106 from outer zone 134 into the growth area.
- barrier 140 eliminates micro-voids in melt 106 such that the growth area is free of micro-voids. The growth area is inward of the second crucible 118 and adjacent to the seed crystal 112 /ingot 108 .
- barrier 140 and passageways 162 , 164 provide a tortuous path for melt 106 to move from outer zone 134 into inner zone 138 .
- melt 106 moves through gaps 144 in barrier 140 as melt 106 moves through outer zone 134 .
- melt 106 must move through passageways 162 , 164 in second crucible 118 to move into inner zone 138 .
- barrier 140 and second crucible 118 limit movement of melt 106 from zone 134 towards inner zone 138 .
- any movement of melt 106 from zone 134 into inner zone 138 is spaced from the top of melt 106 , where ingot 108 is being pulled, because passageways 162 , 164 are located along the bottom of crucible assembly 104 .
- the position of passageways 162 , 164 further limits the passage of solid particles to the growth area of melt 106 .
- melt 106 The controlled movement of melt 106 through outer zone 134 and between outer zone 134 and inner zone 138 allows feedstock material 111 in outer zone 134 to heat to a temperature that is approximately equivalent to the temperature of the growth area as feedstock material 111 passes through outer zone 134 .
- system 100 may have a larger growth area and produce larger single crystal ingots because the movement of melt 106 is controlled in outer zone 134 and inner zone 138 is free of any barriers.
- FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a portion of crystal pulling system 100 including first crucible 116 , second crucible 118 , and third crucible 119 .
- bodies 142 are positioned within cavity 132 .
- bodies 142 are positioned within outer zone 134 at a melt line 160 of solid feedstock material 111 and melt 106 .
- Melt line 160 is defined by the surface of melt 106 .
- Bodies 142 are arranged to reduce the number of micro-voids in melt 106 .
- barrier 140 includes bodies 142 made of quartz.
- bodies 142 inhibit the formation of micro-voids and may prevent contamination of melt 106 .
- system 100 may include any body 142 that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- bodies 142 may be different materials.
- Bodies 142 may be any size and shape that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- bodies 142 may be cuboid, conical, cylindrical, spherical, prismatic, pyramidal, and any other suitable shape.
- at least some bodies 142 may be different shapes and sizes.
- at least some bodies 142 have a non-uniform shape.
- bodies 142 are positioned within outer zone 134 between first crucible 116 and second crucible 118 .
- bodies 142 are packed tightly together and the bodies 142 extend continuously from first crucible 116 to second crucible 118 .
- bodies 142 may be positioned in any manner that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of system 100 .
- bodies 142 are positioned at melt line 160 but do not extend substantially above melt line 160 .
- Bodies 142 are arranged to reduce direct contact between bodies 142 and feedstock material 111 added to system 100 . As a result, the consumption of bodies 142 during operation of system 100 may be reduced. In addition, any variability in the surface of melt 106 may be reduced and doping efficiency changes due to bodies 142 may be reduced.
- FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of system 100 .
- bodies 142 are disposed below and spaced from melt line 160 .
- the consumption of bodies 142 during operation of system 100 is reduced in comparison to configurations where the bodies 142 extend to melt line 160 .
- FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of system 100 .
- bodies 142 are positioned within transition zone 136 .
- the consumption rate of bodies 142 during operation of system 100 is reduced.
- the amount of bodies 142 disposed in transition zone 136 is less than the amount of bodies 142 disposed in outer zone 134 in other configurations because the volume of transition zone 136 is less than the volume of outer zone 134 .
- positioning bodies 142 within transition zone 136 allows outer zone 134 to be used exclusively for positioning feedstock material and supplying dopant within cavity 132 .
- variability in the efficiency of dopants used in system 100 is reduced.
- the consistency of surface conditions of melt 106 is increased.
- second crucible 118 includes a first passageway 162 and third crucible 119 includes a second passageway 164 .
- First passageway 162 and second passageway 164 allow feedstock material 111 and melt 106 to move from outer zone 134 into transition zone 136 , through transition zone 136 , and from transition zone 136 into inner zone 138 .
- system 100 may include any passageway that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- first passageway 162 is positioned near the surface of melt 106 and second passageway 164 is positioned near the base of third crucible 119 . Accordingly, melt 106 flows through transition zone 136 in a generally downward direction in reference to the orientation of system 100 shown in FIG. 7 . As a result, melt 106 contacts an increased number of bodies 142 within transition zone 136 .
- FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic illustrations of another configuration of system 100 .
- System 100 further includes supports 166 .
- supports 166 and bodies 142 are positioned within transition zone 136 .
- bodies 142 are positioned adjacent first passageway 162 to increase contact between bodies 142 and melt 106 .
- Supports 166 are spaced apart within transition zone 136 on opposite sides of first passageway 162 . Accordingly, supports 166 maintain bodies 142 in position adjacent first passageway 162 .
- supports 166 reduce the amount of bodies 142 used in system 100 because bodies are positioned only in portions of transition zone 136 adjacent first passageway 162 .
- bodies 142 and supports 166 are arranged in any manner that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- supports 166 are hollow cylinders and have a diameter substantially equal to the distance between second crucible 118 and third crucible 119 .
- supports 166 have a length that is greater than a depth of melt 106 in transition zone 136 .
- supports 166 may have different shapes and sizes.
- supports 166 may be constructed from any material.
- supports 166 are constructed from quartz to reduce contamination of melt 106 .
- FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic illustrations of another configuration of system 100 .
- System 100 further includes supports 168 .
- Supports 168 and bodies 142 are positioned within outer zone 134 .
- bodies 142 are positioned adjacent first passageway 162 to increase contact between bodies 142 and melt 106 .
- Supports 168 are spaced apart within outer zone 134 on opposite sides of first passageway 162 . Accordingly, supports 168 maintain bodies 142 in position adjacent first passageway 162 .
- supports 168 reduce the amount of bodies 142 used in system 100 because bodies 142 are arranged only in portions of outer zone 134 adjacent first passageway 162 .
- bodies 142 and supports 168 are arranged in any manner that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- supports 168 are hollow cylinders and have a diameter substantially equal to the distance between first crucible 116 and second crucible 118 .
- supports 168 extend adjacent a base of first crucible 116 and above the surface of melt 106 .
- supports 168 have a length that is greater than a depth of melt 106 in outer zone 134 .
- supports 168 may have different shapes and sizes.
- supports 168 may be constructed from any material.
- supports 168 are constructed from quartz to reduce contamination of melt 106 .
- FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic illustrations of another configuration of system 100 .
- system 100 includes supports 166 and supports 168 .
- Supports 166 are positioned within transition zone 136 and supports 168 are positioned within outer zone 134 .
- Bodies 142 are positioned within transition zone 136 between supports 166 .
- bodies 142 are positioned within outer zone 134 between supports 168 .
- bodies 142 are positioned adjacent first passageway 162 .
- supports 166 , 168 and bodies 142 provide increased contact between melt 106 and bodies 142 because bodies contact melt 106 that flows through first passageway 162 .
- supports 166 and 168 reduce the amount of bodies 142 used in system 100 because bodies 142 are positioned only in portions of outer zone 134 and transition zone 136 adjacent first passageway 162 .
- bodies 142 and supports 166 , 168 may be arranged in any manner that enables system 100 to operate as described.
- FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a crystal pulling system 400 .
- FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a portion of crystal pulling system 400 .
- system 400 includes an outer crucible 402 , a weir 404 , and an inner crucible 406 .
- Outer crucible 402 is arranged to receive a melt 408 and includes a base 410 and a sidewall 412 defining a cavity 414 .
- Inner crucible 406 and weir 404 are located in cavity 414 of crucible 402 .
- Inner crucible 406 circumscribes an inner zone 416 .
- Inner crucible 406 and weir 404 define a transition zone 418 therebetween.
- weir 404 and outer crucible 402 define an outer zone 420 therebetween.
- crystal pulling system 400 forms an ingot from melt 408 by lowering and raising a seed crystal in a growth area of inner zone 416 .
- a passageway 422 is defined through inner crucible 406 for melt 408 to move from transition zone 418 into inner zone 416 .
- a passageway 424 is defined through weir 404 for melt 408 to move from outer zone 420 into transition zone 418 . Accordingly, weir 404 and inner crucible 406 control movement of melt 408 between outer zone 420 , transition zone 418 , and inner zone 416 .
- System 400 further includes bodies 426 positioned in transition zone 418 and arranged to reduce micro-voids in melt 408 .
- bodies 426 are stacked between weir 404 and inner crucible 406 .
- Bodies 426 are loosely arranged in layers in transition zone 418 .
- bodies 426 may be arranged in any manner that enables system 400 to operate as described.
- supports 428 are positioned between weir 404 and inner crucible 406 within transition zone 418 .
- Supports 428 reduce the amount of bodies 426 positioned within transition zone 418 and maintain the position of bodies 426 .
- Supports 428 are spaced throughout transition zone 418 .
- supports 428 are offset from passageways 422 , 424 such that bodies 426 are aligned with and positioned adjacent passageways 422 , 424 .
- supports 428 are positioned in any manner that enables system 400 to operate as described.
- System 400 may include any supports 428 that enable system 400 to operate as described.
- supports 428 are hollow cylinders.
- supports 428 have a diameter substantially equal to the distance between weir 404 and inner crucible 406 .
- supports 428 have a length that is greater than a depth of melt 408 in transition zone 418 .
- supports 428 may have different shapes and sizes.
- supports 428 may be constructed from any materials.
- supports 428 are constructed from quartz to reduce contamination of melt 408 .
- FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a crystal pulling system 500 including at least one barrier ring 502 .
- Crystal pulling system 500 also includes a first crucible 504 and a second crucible 506 .
- Crystal pulling system 500 may be used to form an ingot from a melt contained in first crucible 504 and second crucible 506 .
- Second crucible 506 and barrier rings 502 are positioned in a cavity of first crucible 504 such that first crucible 504 , second crucible 506 , and an outer barrier ring 502 form an outer zone 510 therebetween.
- first crucible 504 , second crucible 506 , and barrier rings 502 form transition zones 511 .
- crystal pulling system 500 includes three barrier rings 502 forming three transition zones 511 .
- barrier rings 502 include an outer barrier ring 502 , an intermediate barrier ring 502 , and an inner barrier ring 502 forming an outer transition zone 511 , an intermediate transition zone 511 , and an inner transition zone 511 .
- Barrier rings 502 are nested within each other in order of descending diameter.
- crystal pulling system 500 may include any number of barrier rings 502 forming any transition zones 511 that enable crystal pulling system 500 to operate as described.
- barrier rings 502 extend adjacent a base of second crucible 506 to inhibit the melt moving from outer zone 510 into inner zone 512 .
- Barrier rings 502 and second crucible 506 include respective passageways 514 for the melt to flow from outer zone 510 , through transition zones 511 , and into inner zone 512 .
- passageways 514 in barrier rings 502 and second crucible 506 are offset such that the melt flows through a circuitous path from outer zone 510 into inner zone 512 .
- system 500 may include any suitable passageway that enables system 500 to operate as described.
- system 500 further includes bodies 518 disposed in outer zone 510 and transition zones 511 .
- bodies 518 are positioned adjacent and within outer barrier ring 502 and in outer transition zone 511 . Accordingly, the amount of bodies 518 used in system 500 may be reduced because bodies 518 are positioned only in portions of the cavity adjacent passageways 514 . In addition, the consumption of bodies 518 during operation of system 500 is reduced.
- system 500 may include any bodies 518 that enable system 500 to operate as described.
- bodies 518 and barrier ring 502 may be constructed from any material that enables system 500 to operate as described.
- barrier ring 502 and bodies 518 are constructed from quartz to reduce contamination of the melt.
- FIG. 17 is a graph comparing normalized area counts of ingots.
- a first curve 602 represents normalized area counts for an ingot formed using a crystal pulling system including conditioning members.
- a second curve 604 represents an ingot formed using a crystal pulling system without conditioning members. As illustrated in FIG. 17 , first curve 602 has substantially less area counts than second curve 604 . A majority of these area counts can be attributed to micro-voids in a melt because the area counts displayed micro-void morphology.
- Second curve 604 includes a first portion 606 and a second portion 608 .
- first portion 606 the area counts increase at an approximately steady rate.
- second portion 608 the area counts are substantially constant. Accordingly, during initial ingot growth, the melt is free of micro-voids.
- first curve 602 is substantially constant, which indicates that micro-voids were not formed or if formed were eliminated during the operation of the system including conditioning members.
- First curve 602 has a substantially lower number of area counts than second curve 604 . Accordingly, average area counts per wafer will be substantially less for the ingot represented by first curve 602 than for the ingot represented by second curve 604 .
- the first ingot may produce wafers having an average area count of less than 0.05 normal units.
- the second ingot may produce wafers having an average area count during steady state body growth in a range of about 0.4 to about 1 normal units.
- FIGS. 18-20 are graphs comparing normalized area counts of ingots formed using described embodiments. Each graph includes an X-axis with wafer numbers from 1 to 100 and a Y-axis with area counts from 0 to 0.15 normal units. Curves 702 , 704 , 706 illustrate area counts for wafers formed from middle sections of a first ingot, a second ingot, and a third ingot, respectively.
- the first ingot was formed using a system including quartz bodies.
- Curve 702 illustrates that wafers formed from the first ingot have area counts less than 0.05 normal units.
- the second ingot was formed using the same system as the first ingot without replenishing the quartz bodies. Accordingly, a majority of the quartz bodies where consumed prior to formation of the second ingot.
- Curve 704 illustrates that wafers formed from the second ingot had higher area counts than the wafers formed from the first ingot. However, the wafers formed from the second ingot still had area counts of about 0.1 normal units or less.
- the third ingot was formed using the same system as the first ingot and the second ingot with quartz bodies being added to the system after formation of the second ingot.
- the quartz bodies were at least partially consumed during the formation of the third ingot. Accordingly, the area counts of the wafers formed from the third ingot are initially less than 0.05 but increase in correlation to formation of the ingot. The maximum area counts of the wafers formed from the third ingot are less than 0.15. Accordingly, the quartz bodies clearly have an effect on micro-void performance and area counts of a formed ingot. In particular, the systems including the quartz bodies produce ingots having reduced area counts in comparison to system without quartz bodies.
- FIG. 21 is a graph showing the mass of bodies dissolved for different configurations of a crystal pulling system.
- the rate of consumption of the bodies changes relative to the depth of the bodies from the surface of a melt.
- the rate of consumption and the depth are inversely proportional.
- the rate of consumption increases as the depth of the bodies decreases.
- the bodies may be disposed at a greater depth to reduce the consumption of the bodies.
- the bodies may limit micro-void formation without being disposed at the surface of the melt.
- the bodies may be disposed closer to the surface of the melt and bodies may be added during operation of system to account for the increased rate of consumption.
- the disclosed systems and methods achieve superior results compared to known systems and methods.
- the disclosed systems and methods reduce the number of micro-voids in a melt during operation of a crystal pulling system.
- the disclosed systems and methods include bodies that can inhibit the formation of micro-voids in the melt and remove micro-voids that are formed in the melt.
- the systems and methods described above provide a larger growth area for a single silicon crystal, while minimizing the cost of the system.
- the size of the single silicon crystal formed by the system may be increased in comparison to some known systems.
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Abstract
Description
- This application is a divisional of U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/398,407 filed Jan. 4, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
- This disclosure generally relates to monocrystalline pulling systems for forming ingots of semiconductor or solar material from a melt and more particularly to systems and methods including a crucible and conditioning members disposed within a cavity of the crucible to contact the melt.
- In the production of silicon monocrystals grown by the Czochralski (CZ) method, polycrystalline silicon is melted within a crucible, such as a quartz crucible, of a crystal pulling device to form a silicon melt. A puller lowers a seed crystal into the melt and slowly raises the seed crystal out of the melt, solidifying the melt onto the seed crystal to form an ingot.
- In a continuous CZ method, polycrystalline silicon is added to the melt while the seed crystal is raised out of the melt. The addition of polycrystalline silicon may generate micro-voids in the melt. The micro-voids generally have diameters less than 10 micrometers. The micro-voids in the melt may be incorporated into the ingot during formation of the ingot. Prior continuous Czochralski systems have not succeeded in eliminating these micro-voids. Thus, there exists a need for a more efficient and effective system and method to control characteristics of the melt and to eliminate inclusion of micro voids in the ingot.
- This Background section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
- In one aspect, a system for forming an ingot from a melt includes a crucible defining a cavity for receiving the melt and a first barrier disposed in the cavity to inhibit movement of the melt. The crucible and the first barrier form an outer zone. The first barrier includes a first passageway. The system also includes a second barrier disposed in the cavity to inhibit movement of the melt from outward of the second barrier to inward of the second barrier. The first barrier and the second barrier define a transition zone therebetween. The second barrier forms an inner zone and includes a second passageway. The first passageway and the second passageway are arranged to allow the melt located within the outer zone to move into and through the transition zone and into the inner zone. The system further includes conditioning members positioned in the transition zone between the first barrier and the second barrier. The conditioning members are arranged to contact the melt in the transition zone and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
- In another aspect, a system for forming an ingot from a melt includes a crucible assembly defining a cavity for receiving the melt. The cavity is separated into an inner zone, an outer zone, and a transition zone. The inner zone defines a growth area for the ingot. The system also includes a feeder system to deliver solid feedstock material into the cavity. The solid feedstock material is arranged to form the melt. The system further includes bodies positioned in the outer zone of the cavity. The bodies are arranged to contact the solid feedstock material and the melt and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
- In another aspect, a method for pulling a crystal ingot from a melt in a crystal pulling system is described. The system includes a crucible defining a cavity. The method includes placing conditioning members within the cavity and placing feedstock material into the cavity. The method also includes melting the feedstock material to form the melt. A melt line is defined by a surface of the melt. The conditioning members include quartz bodies arranged at the melt line to contact the melt and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.
- Various refinements exist of the features noted in relation to the above-mentioned aspects. Further features may also be incorporated in the above-mentioned aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to any of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects, alone or in any combination.
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FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a crystal pulling system. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 4 is a cross-section of a portion of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 8 is a schematic plan view of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system in the configuration shown inFIG. 8 . -
FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 11 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system in the configuration shown inFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of another configuration of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 13 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system in the configuration shown inFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a portion of a crystal pulling system including a weir and an inner crucible. -
FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the crystal pulling system shown inFIG. 14 . -
FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of a crystal pulling system including an inner crucible. -
FIG. 17 is a graph comparing normalized area counts of ingots. -
FIG. 18 is a graph of normalized area counts of an ingot. -
FIG. 19 is a graph of normalized area counts of an ingot. -
FIG. 20 is a graph of normalized area counts of an ingot. -
FIG. 21 is a graph showing the mass of bodies dissolved for different configurations of a crystal pulling system. - Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
- Referring to
FIG. 1 , a crystal pulling system is shown schematically and is indicated generally at 100.Crystal pulling system 100 may be used to produce an ingot by a Czochralski method. - The illustrated
crystal pulling system 100 includes asusceptor 102 supporting acrucible assembly 104 that contains amelt 106 of semiconductor or solar grade material (e.g., silicon). Melt 106 may be formed by heating asolid feedstock material 111. During operation ofsystem 100, aseed crystal 112 is lowered by apuller 110 intomelt 106 and then slowly raised frommelt 106. Asseed crystal 112 is slowly raised frommelt 106, silicon atoms frommelt 106 align themselves with and attach toseed crystal 112 to form aningot 108. The illustratedsystem 100 also includes aheat shield 114 to shieldingot 108 from radiant heat frommelt 106 and allowingot 108 to solidify. -
Crucible assembly 104 includes afirst crucible 116, asecond crucible 118, and athird crucible 119. In further embodiments,system 100 may include one or more weirs in addition to or in place of any offirst crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119. In suitable embodiments,crucible assembly 104 may be constructed of any suitable material that enablessystem 100 to function as described. For example, in some embodiments,crucible assembly 104 may be constructed of quartz. -
First crucible 116 includes afirst base 120 and afirst sidewall 122.Second crucible 118 includes asecond base 124 and asecond sidewall 126.Third crucible 119 includes athird base 128 and athird sidewall 130. In the illustrated embodiment,first sidewall 122 extends around the circumference offirst base 120 andsecond sidewall 126 extends around the circumference ofsecond base 124.Third sidewall 130 extends around the circumference ofthird base 128. Afirst cavity 132 is formed byfirst sidewall 122 andfirst base 120 offirst crucible 116. Asecond cavity 133 is formed bysecond sidewall 126 andsecond base 124 ofsecond crucible 118. In other embodiments,crucible assembly 104 may include any crucible that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. -
First crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119 may have any shape that enablessystem 100 to operate as described herein. For example, in some embodiments,first crucible 116,second crucible 118, and/orthird crucible 119 may include a curved base having any suitable curvature. - In this embodiment,
first crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119 are sized and shaped to allow placement ofsecond crucible 118 andthird crucible 119 withincavity 132 offirst crucible 116. In addition,first crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119 are sized and shaped to allow placement ofthird crucible 119 withinsecond cavity 133 ofsecond crucible 118. Each offirst crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119 may have any suitable diameter that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. In some embodiments,first crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119 may have diameters of 40, 36, 32, 28, 24, 20, 22, or 16-inches. For example, in some embodiments,first crucible 116 may have an external diameter of 36-inches,second crucible 118 may have an external diameter of 22-inches, andthird crucible 119 may have an external diameter of 16-inches. -
First crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119 form anouter zone 134, atransition zone 136, and aninner zone 138.Outer zone 134 is formed incavity 132 betweenfirst sidewall 122 andsecond sidewall 126.Inner zone 138 is formed withinthird crucible 119.Transition zone 136 is formed insecond cavity 133 betweensecond crucible 118 andthird crucible 119. The size ofouter zone 134,transition zone 136, andinner zone 138 is determined by the size offirst crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119. For example,inner zone 138 has a diameter equal to the diameter ofthird crucible 119. In some embodiments,inner zone 138 has a diameter of at least 16-inches. Moreover, in this embodiment,inner zone 138 is substantially free of barriers and obstructions. As a result, the growth area foringot 108 may be increased and the distance from the growth area to any barriers, such asthird sidewall 130, may be increased in comparison to some known systems. Moreover,inner zone 138 provides a larger free surface area formelt 106 and allows better oxygen release than some known systems. -
Second crucible 118 andthird crucible 119 extend perpendicular to a surface ofmelt 106 and form vertical barriers that limitmelt 106 flowing fromouter zone 134 intoinner zone 138. Crucible passageways 162, 164 extend throughsidewall 126 ofsecond crucible 118 andsidewall 130 ofthird crucible 119 formelt 106 to move fromouter zone 134 intoinner zone 138. Crucible passageways 162, 164 may be positioned alongsecond base 124 to increase the distance that melt 106 travels to move intoinner zone 138. In suitable embodiments,second crucible 118 andthird crucible 119 may include any suitable number of passageways. - In the illustrated embodiment, a
barrier 140 is located inouter zone 134 betweenfirst sidewall 122 andsecond sidewall 126.Barrier 140 extends parallel to a surface ofmelt 106 and limits movement ofmelt 106 throughouter zone 134 towardsinner zone 138. Accordingly,barrier 140 forms a horizontal barrier that limitsmelt 106 flowing fromouter zone 134 intoinner zone 138.Barrier 140 includes quartz pieces or more broadlybodies 142 andgaps 144 defined betweenbodies 142. In operation, melt 106 may flow throughgaps 144. In this embodiment,bodies 142 are randomly arranged withinouter zone 134 andgaps 144 form a labyrinth or circuitous path formelt 106 to flow through. Accordingly,barrier 140 may slow the movement ofmelt 106 throughouter zone 134. In other embodiments,bodies 142 may be arranged in any manner that enablescrystal pulling system 100 to operate as described. -
Bodies 142 may act as conditioning members thatcondition melt 106 and/orfeedstock material 111. As used herein, the term “condition” means to change a characteristic of a material, and “conditioning” is used to describe a device that changes a characteristic of the material. For example, during operation ofsystem 100,barrier 140 may change characteristics ofmelt 106, such as argon content ofmelt 106 and the number of gas-filled micro-voids withinmelt 106, and reduce defects iningot 108. - In suitable embodiments,
bodies 142 may have different characteristics thanfeedstock material 111 to facilitatebodies 142 functioning as described. For example, in some embodiments,bodies 142 may have a greater resistance to heat thanfeedstock material 111. Accordingly,bodies 142 will remain in a solid state for a longer period of time thanfeedstock material 111. In some embodiments,bodies 142 may remain substantially solid throughout operation ofsystem 100. In further embodiments,bodies 142 may be constructed of quartz andfeedstock material 111 may include chunk polysilicon. In such embodiments, at least some of thebodies 142 may be substantially larger than most of the chunks offeedstock material 111. - In suitable embodiments,
bodies 142 may be positioned anywhere inouter zone 134. In this embodiment,bodies 142 are positioned betweenfirst sidewall 122 andsecond sidewall 126 adjacent the surface ofmelt 106. Also, in this embodiment,bodies 142 are not located withininner zone 138. Precise alignment and positioning ofbodies 142 may not be required during assembly ofsystem 100 becausebodies 142 may be randomly arranged. In addition, the position ofbodies 142 may shift during operation ofsystem 100. - In suitable embodiments,
bodies 142 may be buoyant and float close to the surface ofmelt 106. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 1 ,bodies 142 may be stacked such thatbarrier 140 extends above and/or below the surface ofmelt 106. In suitable embodiments,bodies 142 may extend up to and beyond a melt line of asolid feedstock material 111. In other embodiments,bodies 142 may occupy any portion ofsystem 100 that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. For example, in some embodiments,bodies 142 may fillouter zone 134. - In this embodiment,
bodies 142 are free to move. In other words,bodies 142 are not connected to each other or tocrucible assembly 104. As a result, the cost of assemblingsystem 100 may be reduced. Moreover, the reliability ofsystem 100 is increased because bonds that may fail during operation ofsystem 100 are omitted. In other embodiments, at least somebodies 142 may be connected tofirst crucible 116,second crucible 118, and/orother bodies 142. -
Bodies 142 may be placed insystem 100 at any suitable time. For example,bodies 142 may be placed insystem 100 prior tosolid feedstock material 111 being melted. In other embodiments,bodies 142 may be added aftersolid feedstock material 111 is melted, which may reduce the consumption ofbodies 142 during operation ofsystem 100. - During operation of
system 100,bodies 142 ofbarrier 140 may be consumed bymelt 106 and it may be necessary to replenishbodies 142 ofbarrier 140. Accordingly,bodies 142 may be added continuously or intermittently during operation ofsystem 100. In suitable embodiments,bodies 142 may be added tobarrier 140 at a rate equal to the rate of consumption ofbodies 142. In some embodiments,system 100 may include automated means, such as a feeder system, to addbodies 142. In other embodiments,bodies 142 may be added manually tosystem 100. In some embodiments,barrier 140 may includebodies 142 that do not need to be replenished. In further embodiments,barrier 140 may includeextra bodies 142 to account for any consumption during operation ofsystem 100. - With further reference to
FIG. 1 ,crystal pulling system 100 includesheat shield 114 extendingadjacent crucible assembly 104.Heat shield 114 covers a portion ofinner zone 138 and all ofouter zone 134 to prevent line-of-sight polysilicon projectiles from reaching the inner melt surface during the addition ofsolid feedstock material 111. Moreover,heat shield 114 prevents gas fromouter zone 134 from enteringinner zone 138.Heat shield 114 includes aleg 146.Leg 146 extends intocavity 132 betweensecond crucible 118 andthird crucible 119. In other embodiments,crystal pulling system 100 may include anysuitable heat shield 114 that enablescrystal pulling system 100 to operate as described. -
Solid feedstock material 111 may be placed or supplied intoouter zone 134 from afeeder 150 through afeed tube 152.Feed tube 152 is disposed adjacentfirst crucible 116 for supplyingfeedstock material 111 tofirst crucible 116 at a location that is outward ofsecond crucible 118.Feedstock material 111 has a much lower temperature than thesurrounding melt 106. Accordingly,feedstock material 111 absorbs heat frommelt 106 as the temperature offeedstock material 111 increases and thesolid feedstock material 111 liquefies inouter zone 134 to form an outer melt portion. As solid feedstock material 111 (sometimes referred to as “cold feedstock”) absorbs energy frommelt 106, the temperature of thesurrounding melt 106 falls proportionately to the energy absorbed.Barrier 140 enablessolid feedstock material 111 to melt completely within the outer zone and increases the uniformity ofmelt 106 within the inner zone. - The amount of
feedstock material 111 added tocrucible assembly 104 is controlled byfeeder 150, which is responsive to activation signals from acontroller 154. The diameter and growth rate ofingot 108 is precisely determined and controlled bycontroller 154. The addition offeedstock material 111 may be based on the mass of the silicon in the crucible, which may be determined by measuring the weight or liquid height of the melt. - As
solid feedstock material 111 is added to melt 106, the surface ofmelt 106 may be disturbed.Barrier 140 andsecond sidewall 126 prevent inward propagation of the disturbances ofmelt 106. Moreover,barrier 140 slows the movement ofsolid feedstock material 111 to facilitatesolid feedstock material 111 melting completely within the outer zone. - Heat is provided to
crucible assembly 104 byheaters crucible assembly 104. Heat fromheaters solid feedstock material 111 and then maintainsmelt 106 in a liquefied state.Heater 156 is generally cylindrical in shape and provides heat to the sides of thecrucible assembly 104.Heater 158 provides heat to the bottom ofcrucible assembly 104. In some embodiments,heater 158 may be generally annular in shape. In other embodiments,system 100 may include any heaters that enablesystem 100 to operate as described. - In suitable embodiments,
heaters controller 154, which controllably applies electric current to the heaters to alter their temperature. The amount of current supplied to each ofheaters controller 154 may be separately and independently chosen to optimize the thermal characteristics ofmelt 106. - As discussed above,
seed crystal 112 is attached to a portion ofpuller 110 located overmelt 106.Puller 110 provides movement ofseed crystal 112 in a direction perpendicular to the surface ofmelt 106 and allowsseed crystal 112 to be lowered down toward or intomelt 106, and raised up or out ofmelt 106. To produce ahigh quality ingot 108, the area adjacent toseed crystal 112/ingot 108 must be maintained free of micro-voids inmelt 106 that could be incorporated intoingot 108. - In this embodiment,
barrier 140 andsecond crucible 118 limit the surface disturbances and number offeedstock 111 particles in the area immediately adjacent toseed crystal 112/ingot 108 by limiting the movement ofmelt 106 fromouter zone 134 into the growth area. In addition,barrier 140 eliminates micro-voids inmelt 106 such that the growth area is free of micro-voids. The growth area is inward of thesecond crucible 118 and adjacent to theseed crystal 112/ingot 108. - As shown in
FIG. 1 ,barrier 140 andpassageways melt 106 to move fromouter zone 134 intoinner zone 138. In particular, melt 106 moves throughgaps 144 inbarrier 140 asmelt 106 moves throughouter zone 134. Moreover, melt 106 must move throughpassageways second crucible 118 to move intoinner zone 138. As a result,barrier 140 andsecond crucible 118 limit movement ofmelt 106 fromzone 134 towardsinner zone 138. In addition, any movement ofmelt 106 fromzone 134 intoinner zone 138 is spaced from the top ofmelt 106, whereingot 108 is being pulled, becausepassageways crucible assembly 104. Thus, the position ofpassageways melt 106. - The controlled movement of
melt 106 throughouter zone 134 and betweenouter zone 134 andinner zone 138 allowsfeedstock material 111 inouter zone 134 to heat to a temperature that is approximately equivalent to the temperature of the growth area asfeedstock material 111 passes throughouter zone 134. Moreover,system 100 may have a larger growth area and produce larger single crystal ingots because the movement ofmelt 106 is controlled inouter zone 134 andinner zone 138 is free of any barriers. -
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a portion ofcrystal pulling system 100 includingfirst crucible 116,second crucible 118, andthird crucible 119. In this embodiment,bodies 142 are positioned withincavity 132. In particular,bodies 142 are positioned withinouter zone 134 at amelt line 160 ofsolid feedstock material 111 and melt 106.Melt line 160 is defined by the surface ofmelt 106.Bodies 142 are arranged to reduce the number of micro-voids inmelt 106. As shown inFIG. 2 ,barrier 140 includesbodies 142 made of quartz. As a result,bodies 142 inhibit the formation of micro-voids and may prevent contamination ofmelt 106. In other embodiments,system 100 may include anybody 142 that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. For example, in some embodiments,bodies 142 may be different materials. -
Bodies 142 may be any size and shape that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. For example, in some embodiments,bodies 142 may be cuboid, conical, cylindrical, spherical, prismatic, pyramidal, and any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, at least somebodies 142 may be different shapes and sizes. For example, in suitable embodiments, at least somebodies 142 have a non-uniform shape. - As shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4 ,bodies 142 are positioned withinouter zone 134 betweenfirst crucible 116 andsecond crucible 118. In particular,bodies 142 are packed tightly together and thebodies 142 extend continuously fromfirst crucible 116 tosecond crucible 118. In other embodiments,bodies 142 may be positioned in any manner that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. -
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of another configuration ofsystem 100. In the configuration shown inFIG. 5 ,bodies 142 are positioned atmelt line 160 but do not extend substantially abovemelt line 160.Bodies 142 are arranged to reduce direct contact betweenbodies 142 andfeedstock material 111 added tosystem 100. As a result, the consumption ofbodies 142 during operation ofsystem 100 may be reduced. In addition, any variability in the surface ofmelt 106 may be reduced and doping efficiency changes due tobodies 142 may be reduced. -
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of another configuration ofsystem 100. In the configuration shown inFIG. 6 ,bodies 142 are disposed below and spaced frommelt line 160. As a result, the consumption ofbodies 142 during operation ofsystem 100 is reduced in comparison to configurations where thebodies 142 extend to meltline 160. -
FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of another configuration ofsystem 100. In the configuration shown inFIG. 7 ,bodies 142 are positioned withintransition zone 136. As a result, the consumption rate ofbodies 142 during operation ofsystem 100 is reduced. In addition, the amount ofbodies 142 disposed intransition zone 136 is less than the amount ofbodies 142 disposed inouter zone 134 in other configurations because the volume oftransition zone 136 is less than the volume ofouter zone 134. In addition, positioningbodies 142 withintransition zone 136 allowsouter zone 134 to be used exclusively for positioning feedstock material and supplying dopant withincavity 132. As a result, variability in the efficiency of dopants used insystem 100 is reduced. In addition, the consistency of surface conditions ofmelt 106 is increased. - In the configuration shown in
FIG. 7 ,second crucible 118 includes afirst passageway 162 andthird crucible 119 includes asecond passageway 164.First passageway 162 andsecond passageway 164 allowfeedstock material 111 and melt 106 to move fromouter zone 134 intotransition zone 136, throughtransition zone 136, and fromtransition zone 136 intoinner zone 138. In other embodiments,system 100 may include any passageway that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. - In this embodiment,
first passageway 162 is positioned near the surface ofmelt 106 andsecond passageway 164 is positioned near the base ofthird crucible 119. Accordingly, melt 106 flows throughtransition zone 136 in a generally downward direction in reference to the orientation ofsystem 100 shown inFIG. 7 . As a result, melt 106 contacts an increased number ofbodies 142 withintransition zone 136. -
FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic illustrations of another configuration ofsystem 100.System 100 further includessupports 166. In this embodiment, supports 166 andbodies 142 are positioned withintransition zone 136. In particular,bodies 142 are positioned adjacentfirst passageway 162 to increase contact betweenbodies 142 and melt 106.Supports 166 are spaced apart withintransition zone 136 on opposite sides offirst passageway 162. Accordingly, supports 166 maintainbodies 142 in position adjacentfirst passageway 162. In addition, supports 166 reduce the amount ofbodies 142 used insystem 100 because bodies are positioned only in portions oftransition zone 136 adjacentfirst passageway 162. In other embodiments,bodies 142 and supports 166 are arranged in any manner that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. - In this embodiment, supports 166 are hollow cylinders and have a diameter substantially equal to the distance between
second crucible 118 andthird crucible 119. In addition, supports 166 have a length that is greater than a depth ofmelt 106 intransition zone 136. In other embodiments, supports 166 may have different shapes and sizes. Also, supports 166 may be constructed from any material. In this embodiment, supports 166 are constructed from quartz to reduce contamination ofmelt 106. -
FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic illustrations of another configuration ofsystem 100.System 100 further includessupports 168.Supports 168 andbodies 142 are positioned withinouter zone 134. In particular,bodies 142 are positioned adjacentfirst passageway 162 to increase contact betweenbodies 142 and melt 106.Supports 168 are spaced apart withinouter zone 134 on opposite sides offirst passageway 162. Accordingly, supports 168 maintainbodies 142 in position adjacentfirst passageway 162. In addition, supports 168 reduce the amount ofbodies 142 used insystem 100 becausebodies 142 are arranged only in portions ofouter zone 134 adjacentfirst passageway 162. In other embodiments,bodies 142 and supports 168 are arranged in any manner that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. - In this embodiment, supports 168 are hollow cylinders and have a diameter substantially equal to the distance between
first crucible 116 andsecond crucible 118. In this embodiment, supports 168 extend adjacent a base offirst crucible 116 and above the surface ofmelt 106. In addition, in some embodiments, supports 168 have a length that is greater than a depth ofmelt 106 inouter zone 134. In other embodiments, supports 168 may have different shapes and sizes. Also, supports 168 may be constructed from any material. In this embodiment, supports 168 are constructed from quartz to reduce contamination ofmelt 106. -
FIGS. 12 and 13 are schematic illustrations of another configuration ofsystem 100. In this configuration,system 100 includessupports 166 and supports 168.Supports 166 are positioned withintransition zone 136 and supports 168 are positioned withinouter zone 134.Bodies 142 are positioned withintransition zone 136 between supports 166. In addition,bodies 142 are positioned withinouter zone 134 between supports 168. Withintransition zone 136 andouter zone 134,bodies 142 are positioned adjacentfirst passageway 162. In this embodiment, supports 166, 168 andbodies 142 provide increased contact betweenmelt 106 andbodies 142 because bodies contactmelt 106 that flows throughfirst passageway 162. In addition, supports 166 and 168 reduce the amount ofbodies 142 used insystem 100 becausebodies 142 are positioned only in portions ofouter zone 134 andtransition zone 136 adjacentfirst passageway 162. In other embodiments,bodies 142 and supports 166, 168 may be arranged in any manner that enablessystem 100 to operate as described. -
FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of a portion of acrystal pulling system 400.FIG. 15 is a schematic illustration of a portion ofcrystal pulling system 400. In this embodiment,system 400 includes anouter crucible 402, aweir 404, and aninner crucible 406.Outer crucible 402 is arranged to receive amelt 408 and includes abase 410 and asidewall 412 defining acavity 414.Inner crucible 406 andweir 404 are located incavity 414 ofcrucible 402.Inner crucible 406 circumscribes aninner zone 416.Inner crucible 406 andweir 404 define atransition zone 418 therebetween. In addition,weir 404 andouter crucible 402 define anouter zone 420 therebetween. - In operation,
crystal pulling system 400 forms an ingot frommelt 408 by lowering and raising a seed crystal in a growth area ofinner zone 416. Apassageway 422 is defined throughinner crucible 406 formelt 408 to move fromtransition zone 418 intoinner zone 416. In addition, apassageway 424 is defined throughweir 404 formelt 408 to move fromouter zone 420 intotransition zone 418. Accordingly,weir 404 andinner crucible 406 control movement ofmelt 408 betweenouter zone 420,transition zone 418, andinner zone 416. -
System 400 further includesbodies 426 positioned intransition zone 418 and arranged to reduce micro-voids inmelt 408. In this embodiment,bodies 426 are stacked betweenweir 404 andinner crucible 406.Bodies 426 are loosely arranged in layers intransition zone 418. In other embodiments,bodies 426 may be arranged in any manner that enablessystem 400 to operate as described. - In this embodiment, supports 428 are positioned between
weir 404 andinner crucible 406 withintransition zone 418.Supports 428 reduce the amount ofbodies 426 positioned withintransition zone 418 and maintain the position ofbodies 426.Supports 428 are spaced throughouttransition zone 418. In particular, supports 428 are offset frompassageways bodies 426 are aligned with and positionedadjacent passageways system 400 to operate as described. -
System 400 may include anysupports 428 that enablesystem 400 to operate as described. In this embodiment, supports 428 are hollow cylinders. In some embodiments, supports 428 have a diameter substantially equal to the distance betweenweir 404 andinner crucible 406. In addition, in some embodiments, supports 428 have a length that is greater than a depth ofmelt 408 intransition zone 418. In other embodiments, supports 428 may have different shapes and sizes. Also, supports 428 may be constructed from any materials. In this embodiment, supports 428 are constructed from quartz to reduce contamination ofmelt 408. -
FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of acrystal pulling system 500 including at least onebarrier ring 502.Crystal pulling system 500 also includes afirst crucible 504 and asecond crucible 506.Crystal pulling system 500 may be used to form an ingot from a melt contained infirst crucible 504 andsecond crucible 506.Second crucible 506 and barrier rings 502 are positioned in a cavity offirst crucible 504 such thatfirst crucible 504,second crucible 506, and anouter barrier ring 502 form anouter zone 510 therebetween. In addition,first crucible 504,second crucible 506, and barrier rings 502form transition zones 511. In this embodiment,crystal pulling system 500 includes three barrier rings 502 forming threetransition zones 511. Specifically, barrier rings 502 include anouter barrier ring 502, anintermediate barrier ring 502, and aninner barrier ring 502 forming anouter transition zone 511, anintermediate transition zone 511, and aninner transition zone 511. Barrier rings 502 are nested within each other in order of descending diameter. In other embodiments,crystal pulling system 500 may include any number of barrier rings 502 forming anytransition zones 511 that enablecrystal pulling system 500 to operate as described. - As the melt is heated, the melt moves from
outer zone 510, throughtransition zones 511, and towards aninner zone 512 where the ingot is formed. Barrier rings 502 extend adjacent a base ofsecond crucible 506 to inhibit the melt moving fromouter zone 510 intoinner zone 512. Barrier rings 502 andsecond crucible 506 includerespective passageways 514 for the melt to flow fromouter zone 510, throughtransition zones 511, and intoinner zone 512. Suitably,passageways 514 in barrier rings 502 andsecond crucible 506 are offset such that the melt flows through a circuitous path fromouter zone 510 intoinner zone 512. In other embodiments,system 500 may include any suitable passageway that enablessystem 500 to operate as described. - In this embodiment,
system 500 further includesbodies 518 disposed inouter zone 510 andtransition zones 511. In this embodiment,bodies 518 are positioned adjacent and withinouter barrier ring 502 and inouter transition zone 511. Accordingly, the amount ofbodies 518 used insystem 500 may be reduced becausebodies 518 are positioned only in portions of the cavityadjacent passageways 514. In addition, the consumption ofbodies 518 during operation ofsystem 500 is reduced. In other embodiments,system 500 may include anybodies 518 that enablesystem 500 to operate as described. - In suitable embodiments,
bodies 518 andbarrier ring 502 may be constructed from any material that enablessystem 500 to operate as described. In this embodiment,barrier ring 502 andbodies 518 are constructed from quartz to reduce contamination of the melt. -
FIG. 17 is a graph comparing normalized area counts of ingots. Afirst curve 602 represents normalized area counts for an ingot formed using a crystal pulling system including conditioning members. Asecond curve 604 represents an ingot formed using a crystal pulling system without conditioning members. As illustrated inFIG. 17 ,first curve 602 has substantially less area counts thansecond curve 604. A majority of these area counts can be attributed to micro-voids in a melt because the area counts displayed micro-void morphology. -
Second curve 604 includes afirst portion 606 and asecond portion 608. Withinfirst portion 606, the area counts increase at an approximately steady rate. Withinsecond portion 608, the area counts are substantially constant. Accordingly, during initial ingot growth, the melt is free of micro-voids. However, in the system represented bysecond curve 604, micro-voids are formed when feedstock material is introduced into the system and the number of micro-voids increase until a steady state value is reached. In contrast,first curve 602 is substantially constant, which indicates that micro-voids were not formed or if formed were eliminated during the operation of the system including conditioning members. -
First curve 602 has a substantially lower number of area counts thansecond curve 604. Accordingly, average area counts per wafer will be substantially less for the ingot represented byfirst curve 602 than for the ingot represented bysecond curve 604. For example, the first ingot may produce wafers having an average area count of less than 0.05 normal units. In contrast, the second ingot may produce wafers having an average area count during steady state body growth in a range of about 0.4 to about 1 normal units. -
FIGS. 18-20 are graphs comparing normalized area counts of ingots formed using described embodiments. Each graph includes an X-axis with wafer numbers from 1 to 100 and a Y-axis with area counts from 0 to 0.15 normal units.Curves - The first ingot was formed using a system including quartz bodies.
Curve 702 illustrates that wafers formed from the first ingot have area counts less than 0.05 normal units. The second ingot was formed using the same system as the first ingot without replenishing the quartz bodies. Accordingly, a majority of the quartz bodies where consumed prior to formation of the second ingot.Curve 704 illustrates that wafers formed from the second ingot had higher area counts than the wafers formed from the first ingot. However, the wafers formed from the second ingot still had area counts of about 0.1 normal units or less. The third ingot was formed using the same system as the first ingot and the second ingot with quartz bodies being added to the system after formation of the second ingot. However, the quartz bodies were at least partially consumed during the formation of the third ingot. Accordingly, the area counts of the wafers formed from the third ingot are initially less than 0.05 but increase in correlation to formation of the ingot. The maximum area counts of the wafers formed from the third ingot are less than 0.15. Accordingly, the quartz bodies clearly have an effect on micro-void performance and area counts of a formed ingot. In particular, the systems including the quartz bodies produce ingots having reduced area counts in comparison to system without quartz bodies. -
FIG. 21 is a graph showing the mass of bodies dissolved for different configurations of a crystal pulling system. As illustrated inFIG. 21 , the rate of consumption of the bodies changes relative to the depth of the bodies from the surface of a melt. In particular, the rate of consumption and the depth are inversely proportional. In other words, the rate of consumption increases as the depth of the bodies decreases. For each system, the highest rate of consumption occurred when the bodies were floating on the surface of the melt. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the bodies may be disposed at a greater depth to reduce the consumption of the bodies. In such embodiments, the bodies may limit micro-void formation without being disposed at the surface of the melt. In further embodiments, the bodies may be disposed closer to the surface of the melt and bodies may be added during operation of system to account for the increased rate of consumption. - Systems and methods in accordance with the examples described above achieve superior results compared to known systems and methods. The disclosed systems and methods reduce the number of micro-voids in a melt during operation of a crystal pulling system. The disclosed systems and methods include bodies that can inhibit the formation of micro-voids in the melt and remove micro-voids that are formed in the melt.
- Also, the systems and methods described above provide a larger growth area for a single silicon crystal, while minimizing the cost of the system. As a result, the size of the single silicon crystal formed by the system may be increased in comparison to some known systems.
- When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. The use of terms indicating a particular orientation (e.g., “top”, “bottom”, “side”, etc.) is for convenience of description and does not require any particular orientation of the item described.
- As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing[s] shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (10)
Priority Applications (1)
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US16/250,663 US20190153615A1 (en) | 2017-01-04 | 2019-01-17 | Crystal pulling method including crucible and conditioning members |
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US15/398,407 US10221500B2 (en) | 2017-01-04 | 2017-01-04 | System for forming an ingot including crucible and conditioning members |
US16/250,663 US20190153615A1 (en) | 2017-01-04 | 2019-01-17 | Crystal pulling method including crucible and conditioning members |
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US16/250,663 Abandoned US20190153615A1 (en) | 2017-01-04 | 2019-01-17 | Crystal pulling method including crucible and conditioning members |
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EP (1) | EP3565918A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2020503240A (en) |
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CN (1) | CN108265328B (en) |
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WO2023081583A1 (en) * | 2021-11-08 | 2023-05-11 | Globalwafers Co., Ltd. | Use of arrays of quartz particles during single crystal silicon ingot production |
Families Citing this family (11)
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US10407797B2 (en) * | 2017-05-04 | 2019-09-10 | Corner Start Limited | Crystal pulling system and method including crucible and barrier |
US11377751B2 (en) | 2020-02-20 | 2022-07-05 | Globalwafers Co., Ltd. | Crucible molds |
US11326271B2 (en) * | 2020-02-20 | 2022-05-10 | Globalwafers Co., Ltd. | Methods for forming a unitized crucible assembly |
CN118223122A (en) * | 2020-02-20 | 2024-06-21 | 环球晶圆股份有限公司 | Method of forming a nested crucible assembly, crucible mold, and nested crucible |
CN112210820A (en) * | 2020-09-10 | 2021-01-12 | 徐州鑫晶半导体科技有限公司 | Crystal production process |
CN112210822A (en) * | 2020-09-10 | 2021-01-12 | 徐州鑫晶半导体科技有限公司 | Crucible assembly for single crystal furnace and single crystal furnace |
JP2023549193A (en) * | 2020-11-11 | 2023-11-22 | グローバルウェーハズ カンパニー リミテッド | Method for forming single crystal silicon ingot with reduced crucible corrosion |
US11767610B2 (en) * | 2020-12-31 | 2023-09-26 | Globalwafers Co., Ltd. | Use of buffer members during growth of single crystal silicon ingots |
CN116783333A (en) * | 2020-12-31 | 2023-09-19 | 环球晶圆股份有限公司 | Buffer during growth of single crystal silicon ingots |
CN112981519A (en) * | 2021-03-16 | 2021-06-18 | 大连连城数控机器股份有限公司 | Quartz crucible for continuous monocrystalline silicon growth, method for manufacturing same and combined crucible |
CN115074828A (en) * | 2022-06-30 | 2022-09-20 | 徐州鑫晶半导体科技有限公司 | Crucible assembly, silicon crystal preparation device and preparation method of silicon crystal |
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- 2017-01-04 US US15/398,407 patent/US10221500B2/en active Active
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2018
- 2018-01-04 CN CN201810008152.4A patent/CN108265328B/en active Active
- 2018-01-04 KR KR1020197022387A patent/KR102490405B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2018-01-04 EP EP18701836.1A patent/EP3565918A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2018-01-04 JP JP2019556572A patent/JP2020503240A/en active Pending
- 2018-01-04 WO PCT/US2018/012320 patent/WO2018129141A1/en unknown
- 2018-01-04 TW TW107100321A patent/TWI759399B/en active
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US4894206A (en) * | 1986-09-22 | 1990-01-16 | Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba | Crystal pulling apparatus |
US5871581A (en) * | 1996-01-12 | 1999-02-16 | Mitsubishi Materials Silicon Corporation | Single crystal pulling apparatus |
US20140144371A1 (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2014-05-29 | Solaicx, Inc. | Heat Shield For Improved Continuous Czochralski Process |
US20140261155A1 (en) * | 2013-03-15 | 2014-09-18 | Memc Electronic Materials, Inc. | Crucible for controlling oxygen and related methods |
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WO2023081583A1 (en) * | 2021-11-08 | 2023-05-11 | Globalwafers Co., Ltd. | Use of arrays of quartz particles during single crystal silicon ingot production |
US20230142194A1 (en) * | 2021-11-08 | 2023-05-11 | Globalwafers Co., Ltd. | Use of arrays of quartz particles during single crystal silicon ingot production |
Also Published As
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TWI759399B (en) | 2022-04-01 |
JP2020503240A (en) | 2020-01-30 |
KR102490405B1 (en) | 2023-01-18 |
KR20190103269A (en) | 2019-09-04 |
CN108265328A (en) | 2018-07-10 |
CN108265328B (en) | 2021-05-28 |
EP3565918A1 (en) | 2019-11-13 |
TW201835392A (en) | 2018-10-01 |
WO2018129141A1 (en) | 2018-07-12 |
US20180187329A1 (en) | 2018-07-05 |
US10221500B2 (en) | 2019-03-05 |
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