Abstract: This invention deals with methods and apparatus for producing unsupported monocrystalline films of silicon, germanium, gallium aresenide, and many other semiconductors and other materials. Said methods comprise:(a) repetitively using a monocrystalline substrate S having a crystal structure closely matching that of the desired films;(b) epitaxially depositing on substrate S first an intermediate monocrystalline layer I and next an outer monocrystalline layer 0 so as to form a three-layer S-I-O configuration, said three layers having closely matching crystal structures; and(c) at least partly disintegrating said intermediate layer I so as to free said outer layer 0 and make substrate S available to repeat the same cycle.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming an elongated silicon crystalline body using a specially designed capillary die. The method and apparatus uses a higher melt meniscus in the central region of the growth front than at the edges of the front. The edges of the top surface of the die are not concentric with the ribbon cross-section.

Abstract: A chlorinator for swimming pools in which a quantity of granular dry crystals of chlorine is interposed in a bypassed stream of pool water for creating a chlorine concentrate in a container related to a mixing chamber such as to introduce a measured portion of the chlorine concentrate into the bypassed water prior to its returning to the swimming pool.

Abstract: An improvement in a method for maintaining swimming pool water fit for use and apparatus for implementing same that is cyclical and that requires minimal amounts of treatment chemical, such method including introducing into such body of water an amount of selected accepted inhibiting chemical sufficient to raise the concentration of such chemical to a value within an established range known to destroy or inhibit the growth of any contaminant, then recirculating such body of water until the concentration of such chemical diminishes to a low point; then repeating the introduction step and the recirculation step several times with the cycle completed by the introduction of an amount of the order of twice the amount of the treatment chemical introduced at each preceding introduction step so as to dramatically change or shock the pool environment followed by recirculating such body of water until the concentration diminishes to a low point and then repeating the cycle; the apparatus for dispensing the treatment ch

Abstract: The transfer of agitational forces from a main vessel to an elutriation leg connected thereto is effectively minimized with a slurry inlet and liquor outlet device mounted in the upper end of the elutriation leg. The device includes a slurry flow directing member which receives the gravitational flow of slurry from the main vessel and directs such flow in a downward path of reduced cross-sectional area with respect to the cross-sectional area of the elutriation leg for impingement onto a target member mounted below the slurry flow directing member. The downward slurry flow is radially outwardly deflected by the target member to substantially reduce the concentrated downward forces of the slurry which would otherwise tend to disrupt or restrict the formation and maintenance of a fluidized bed in the elutriation leg.

Abstract: A crucible adapted for receiving crystal growth starting materials and exposing them to a reactive atmosphere under a carefully controlled temperature environment is disclosed.

Abstract: Molten silicon is controllably fed into a nip between spaced-apart rollers, converted into a wide ribbon of a desired thickness by passing through such nip and then solidified. The solidified silicon ribbon is then severed into plate-shaped bodies of desired dimension for use in the manufacture of solar cells.

Abstract: In crystallization of a carbonate of sodium from aqueous solutions, a water soluble homopolymer of oxyethylene or block copolymer of oxyethylene and oxypropylene is employed as a defoamer. The presence of the defoamer in the resulting sodium carbonate does not adversely interfere with carbon dioxide absorption in subsequent production of sodium bicarbonate.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for extracting juice from juice-laden material are disclosed. A tank system defines a row of material treating stations. A plurality of perforated baskets are swingably mounted at respective stations, each basket being operable to receive a charge of material. A flow of liquid is conducted through the stations in juice-extracting contact with the material. A basket actuating mechanism swings each basket from its associated station into a generally inverted position above the basket of a successive station to transfer the charge of material. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the basket is articulated intermediate its ends about a floating hinge. The basket actuating mechanism collapses the basket about the floating hinge to squeeze juice from the material before the material is delivered to the basket of a successive station.

Abstract: Mechanical components such as dies and crucibles, which come in contact with a silicon melt during the formation of single crystalline shaped silicon particles, e.g. thin sheets or ribbons, are coated with silicon oxynitride deposited by chemical vapor deposition techniques.

Abstract: A process for the production of a monocrystalline silicon rod by withdrawal rom a silicon melt in a drawing chamber by means of a drawing spindle, comprises passing a stream of a protective gas, such as argon, into said chamber during the drawing operation and through a tube which surrounds the drawing spindle and the growing silicon rod, the chamber being maintained under reduced pressure.

Abstract: A method for the production of improved, transparent single crystals having a corundum structure under conditions of minimum thermal strain, comprising the optimum orientation of growth planes of a seed crystal in a melt substantially parallel to the vertical side wall means of a crucible, and heating and subsequent cooling the melt, thereby nucleating on the seed crystal.

Abstract: The growth of a solid obtained by cooling a liquid solution is observed and controlled by measuring the variation in volume of the solid-liquid system at the time of solidification. The method is applicable to the control of oriented crystallization from an initial crystal seed or epitaxial growth on a substrate having a suitable crystal orientation. The rate of crystallization can be controlled by means of a furnace provided with means for producing regulated thermal gradients, temperature-measuring means, a chamber filled with an inert liquid, an open-topped container filled with the liquid to be solidified and immersed in the inert liquid, the container being suspended from one arm of the beam of an electrobalance.

Abstract: A method and horizontal furnace for vapor phase growth of HgI.sub.2 crystals which utilizes controlled axial and radial airflow to maintain the desired temperature gradients. The ampoule containing the source material is rotated while axial and radial air tubes are moved in opposite directions during crystal growth to maintain a desired distance and associated temperature gradient with respect to the growing crystal, whereby the crystal interface can advance in all directions, i.e., radial and axial according to the crystallographic structure of the crystal. Crystals grown by this method are particularly applicable for use as room-temperature nuclear radiation detectors.

Abstract: A process for producing crystalline silicon having an iron concentration less than about one-twentieth of the iron concentration of the mother liquor. Iron contaminated silicon is introduced into a mold and the mold walls are maintained at a temperature sufficient to cause silicon crystalline growth. The mother liquor is agitated to wash the exposed surfaces of the growing silicon crystals and to prevent the freezing of the top surface of the mother liquor. A hollow crystalline silicon ingot is formed and both the inner zone centrally of the crystalline ingot and the outer zone adjacent to the mold wall are removed leaving an inner zone having an iron concentration less than one-twentieth of the iron concentration of the original mother liquor.

Abstract: An apparatus for floating melt zone processing of a semiconductor rod including an axially fixed induction heating coil wherein the heating coil is attached to a horizontal shift means having an amplitude sufficiently great to move the coil away from the rod during insertion and/or removal of the rod in the apparatus.

Abstract: Mechanical components, e.g. die and/or crucible or the like structures with which single silicon crystals are grown from the melt as shaped articles in thin sheet or ribbon geometry, are advantageously comprised, for their material of construction, of a suitable thermally stable and inert foundation substrate coated or provided on at least the silicon-contacting surface(s) thereof with a thin, uniform, integral surface layer deposit of pyrolitic silicon nitride (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4) obtained by the chemical vapor deposition (i.e., "CVD") technique.

Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of chemicals, such as chlorides, sulfates, carbonates and borates of such alkali metals as sodium and potassium, among others, from underground brines associated with an ore body containing said chemicals, wherein the underground brine is pumped to the surface and confined over said ore body where it is concentrated by solar evaporation and the concentrated brine returned to an underground basin adjacent said ore body and stored for later removal by pumping for the subsequent recovery of chemicals therefrom. Thus, solar evaporation is used to produce the desired concentration of brine to optimize the subsequent recovery of chemicals therefrom, thereby resulting in substantial savings in overall energy costs.

Abstract: An improved process for pelletizing siliceous materials produced in an aqueous medium is disclosed. The process comprises the improvement of filtering the aqueous medium in which the siliceous materials are produced or refined, forming a slurry of the filter cake obtained by filtration and thereafter introducing the slurry directly into a pelletizer. The pellets thus formed are dried and a portion thereof recycled to the pelletizer so that the solids content of the slurry has a predetermined solids content. The process obviates the need for an initial drying of the filter cake, reduces the drying of excess water at several steps and provides for the recycling and use of unsatisfactory materials.

Abstract: A method of obtaining caustic soda and pure sodium chloride from an electrolytic cell liquor containing also sulfate ions including the steps of concentrating the liquor through multiple effect evaporation, cooling the concentrate obtained, separating the sodium chloride and the salt containing sulfate and recovering the caustic soda, whereby during a first stage the liquor is evaporated so as to precipitate only sodium chloride which is removed, in a second stage a solid phase is formed of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate and triple salt of caustic soda, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate, with said solid phase being contacted with a caustic soda solution of less than about 35% by weight concentration, so as to decompose said triple salt, removing the salt containing sulfate, and in a third stage the solution from the second stage is cooled to precipitate said triple salt of caustic soda, sodium chloride and sodium sulfate, which is separated from the caustic soda which does not crystallize and is removed fro