Abstract: A method for producing a solar crucible includes providing a crucible base body of transparent or opaque fused silica having an inner wall, providing a dispersion containing amorphous SiO2 particles, applying a SiO2-containing slip layer to at least a part of the inner wall by using the dispersion, drying the slip layer to form a SiO2-containing grain layer and thermally densifying the SiO2-containing grain layer to form a diffusion barrier layer. The dispersion contains a dispersion liquid and amorphous SiO2 particles that form a coarse fraction and a fine fraction with SiO2 nanoparticles. The weight percentage of the SiO2 nanoparticles based on the solids content of the dispersion is in the range between 2 and 15% by weight. The SiO2-containing grain layer is thermally densified into the diffusion barrier layer through the heating up of the silicon in the crystal growing process.

Abstract: Device for producing silicon blocks for photovoltaic applications, comprising a container for receiving a silicon melt with a base wall and at least one side wall, means for reducing the diffusion of impurities from at least one of the walls of the container into the silicon melt, wherein the means for reducing the diffusion of impurities comprise at least one covering element for the at least partial covering of at least one of the walls of the container.

Abstract: A method for producing a solar crucible includes providing a crucible base body of transparent or opaque fused silica having an inner wall, providing a dispersion containing amorphous SiO2 particles, applying a SiO2-containing slip layer to at least a part of the inner wall by using the dispersion, drying the slip layer to form a SiO2-containing grain layer and thermally densifying the SiO2-containing grain layer to form a diffusion barrier layer. The dispersion contains a dispersion liquid and amorphous SiO2 particles that form a coarse fraction and a fine fraction with SiO2 nanoparticles. The weight percentage of the SiO2 nanoparticles based on the solids content of the dispersion is in the range between 2 and 15% by weight. The SiO2-containing grain layer is thermally densified into the diffusion barrier layer through the heating up of the silicon in the crystal growing process.

Abstract: Device for producing silicon blocks for photovoltaic applications, comprising a container for receiving a silicon melt with a base wall and at least one side wall, means for reducing the diffusion of impurities from at least one of the walls of the container into the silicon melt, wherein the means for reducing the diffusion of impurities comprise at least one covering element for the at least partial covering of at least one of the walls of the container.

Abstract: Device for the production of silicon blocks, the device comprising a vessel for receiving a silicon melt with a bottom, an inside, an outside and a central longitudinal axis and at least one support plate which is at least partially in direct contact with the bottom, and which forms a base together with the bottom, and means for generating an inhomogeneous temperature field on the inside of the bottom.