Abstract: Mechanically vibrated based reactor systems and processes allow for efficient, cost-effective production of silicon. Particulate may be provided to a heated tray or pan, which is oscillated or vibrated to provide a reaction surface. The particulate migrates downward in the tray or pan and the reactant product migrates upward in the tray or pan as the reactant product reaches a desired state. Exhausted gases may be recycled.

Abstract: Mechanically fluidized systems and processes allow for efficient, cost-effective production of silicon coated particles having very low levels of contaminants such as metals and oxygen. These silicon coated particles are produced, conveyed, and formed into crystals in an environment maintained at a low oxygen level or a very low oxygen level and a low contaminant level or very low contaminant level to minimize the formation of silicon oxides and minimize the deposition of contaminants on the coated particles. Such high purity coated silicon particles may not require classification and may be used in whole or in part in the crystal production method. The crystal production method and the resultant high quality of the silicon boules produced are improved by the reduction or elimination of the silicon oxide layer and contaminants on the coated particles.

Abstract: A method of producing a crystalline semiconductor material includes feeding particles of the semiconductor material and/or a precursor compound of the semiconductor material into a gas flow, wherein the gas flow has a sufficiently high temperature to convert the particles of the semiconductor material from a solid into a liquid and/or gaseous state and/or to thermally decompose the precursor compound, condensing out and/or separating the liquid semiconductor material from the gas flow, and converting the liquid semiconductor material to a solid state with formation of mono- or polycrystalline crystal properties.

Abstract: A method of producing a monocrystalline semiconductor material includes providing a starting material composed of the semiconductor material, transferring the starting material into a heating zone in which a melt composed of the semiconductor material is fed with the starting material, and lowering the melt from the heating zone and/or raising the heating zone such that, at a lower end portion of the melt, a solidification front forms along which the semiconductor material crystallizes in a desired structure, wherein the starting material composed of the semiconductor material is provided in liquid form and fed into the melt in liquid form.

Abstract: A process of producing high-purity silicon includes providing silicon-containing powder, feeding the silicon-containing powder into a gas stream, where the gas has a temperature sufficiently high to convert particles of metallic silicon from a solid state into a liquid and/or gaseous state, collecting and, optionally, condensing the liquid and/or gaseous silicon formed, and cooling the collected liquid and/or condensed silicon in a casting mold,