Apparatus Patents (Class 117/200)
- Crucibleless apparatus having means providing movement of discrete droplets or solid particles to thin-film precursor (e.g., Verneuil method) (Class 117/207)
- Seed pulling (Class 117/208)
- Having means for producing a moving solid-liquid-solid zone (Class 117/219)
- Shape defined by a solid member other than seed or product (e.g., Bridgman-Stockbarger) (Class 117/223)
- Including pressurized crystallization means (e.g., hydrothermal) (Class 117/224)
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Patent number: 8226768Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for evaporation comprising a vacuum chamber, a substrate stage defining a substrate plane and at least one effusion cell, the effusion cell comprising a crucible having a volume, wherein said effusion cell, crucible and substrate stage are arranged inside the vacuum chamber. The crucible comprises a first end, a second end, at least one side wall and an aperture. In a typical apparatus according to the invention the aperture is situated in the first wall or in a side wall closer to the first end than the second end, the second end arranged closer to the substrate plane than the first end. The invention also relates to a crucible for evaporation, having a volume, comprising a first end, a second end, at least one side wall and an aperture. The invention further relates to a method of growing a film on a substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: DCA Instruments OyInventor: Jari Vanhatalo
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Patent number: 8221550Abstract: A process for producing a single crystal of semiconductor material, in which fractions of a melt, are kept in liquid form by a pulling coil, solidify on a seed crystal to form the growing single crystal, and granules are melted in order to maintain the growth of the single crystal. The melting granules are passed to the melt after a delay. There is also an apparatus which Is suitable for carrying out the process and has a device which delays mixing of the molten granules and of the melt.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: Siltronic AGInventor: Wilfried von Ammon
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Patent number: 8216373Abstract: A temperature gradient is established in a crystallization crucible by means of a heat source and a cooling system. The cooling system comprises a heat exchanger and an adjustable additional heat source. The cooling system is preferably formed by an induction coil cooled by a coolant liquid circulating in the induction coil and by an electrically conductive induction susceptor positioned between the crucible and induction coil. The fabrication process comprises heating the crucible via the top and controlling heat extraction from the crucible downwards by means of the heat exchanger and by means of regulation of the adjustable additional heat source.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignees: Apollon Solar, Cyberstar, EFD Induction SAInventors: Roland Einhaus, Francois Claude Lissalde, Pascal Rivat
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Patent number: 8216369Abstract: A physical vapor transport system includes a growth chamber charged with source material and a seed crystal in spaced relation, and at least one capsule having at least one capillary extending between an interior thereof and an exterior thereof, wherein the interior of the capsule is charged with a dopant. Each capsule is installed in the growth chamber. Through a growth reaction carried out in the growth chamber following installation of each capsule therein, a crystal is formed on the seed crystal using the source material, wherein the formed crystal is doped with the dopant.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2009Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: II-VI IncorporatedInventors: Avinash K. Gupta, Edward Semenas, Ilya Zwieback, Donovan L. Barrett, Andrew E. Souzis
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Patent number: 8216364Abstract: Direct resistive heating is used to grow nanotubes out of carbon and other materials. A growth-initiated array of nanotubes is provided using a CVD or ion implantation process. These processes use indirect heating to heat the catalysts to initiate growth. Once growth is initiated, an electrical source is connected between the substrate and a plate above the nanotubes to source electrical current through and resistively heat the nanotubes and their catalysts. A material source supplies the heated catalysts with carbon or another material to continue growth of the array of nanotubes. Once direct heating has commenced, the source of indirect heating can be removed or at least reduced. Because direct resistive heating is more efficient than indirect heating the total power consumption is reduced significantly.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2008Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Delmar L. Barker, Mead M. Jordan, William R. Owens
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Publication number: 20120167821Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a vitreous silica crucible including: a taking-out process of taking out the vitreous silica crucible from the mold, a honing process of removing the unfused silica powder layer on the outer surface of the vitreous silica crucible, and further comprising, after the taking-out process and before the honing process, a marking process of marking an identifier comprised of one or more groove line on the outer surface of the vitreous silica crucible, wherein the groove line after the honing process has a depth of 0.2 to 0.5 mm, and a width of 0.8 mm or more at the opening of the groove line.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: JAPAN SUPER QUARTZ CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiaki SUDO, Taira SATO, Shuichi IKEHATA, Manabu SHONAI, Takuji NISHI, Takaya SATOU, Shinsuke YAMAZAKI
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Patent number: 8210906Abstract: A wafer slicing method includes winding a wire around rollers and pressing the wire against an ingot while supplying slurry to the rollers. A previously conducted experiment provides a supply temperature profile of the slurry during the slicing process and the relationship to the axial displacement of the rollers. This relationship is used to implement slurry delivery during the slicing process. The resultant wafers are bowed in a uniform direction. This slicing method provides excellent reproducibility in addition to producing wafers that are bowed in a uniform direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroshi Oishi, Daisuke Nakamata
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Publication number: 20120160158Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to provide a crucible which has high viscosity at high temperature, can be used for a long time, and can be manufactured at low cost, and a method of manufacturing the crucible. The present invention provides a composite crucible including a vitreous silica crucible body having a sidewall portion and a bottom portion, and a reinforcement layer provided on an outer surface side of an upper end portion of the vitreous silica crucible body, wherein the reinforcement layer is made of mullite material whose main component is alumina and silica.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2011Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: JAPAN SUPER QUARTZ CORPORATIONInventors: Toshiaki SUDO, Ken KITAHARA, Takuma YOSHIOKA
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Publication number: 20120152166Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a silicon carbide single crystal grows the silicon carbide single crystal on a seed crystal by supplying a material gas from below the seed crystal. The apparatus includes a heating container and a base located in the heating container. The seed crystal is mounded on the base. The apparatus further includes a first inlet for causing a purge gas to flow along an inner wall surface of the heating container, a purge gas source for supplying the purge gas to the first inlet, a second inlet for causing the purge gas to flow along an outer wall surface of the base, and a mechanism for supporting the base and for supplying the purge gas to the base from below the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Yuuichirou TOKUDA, Kazukuni Hara, Jun Kojima
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Patent number: 8197595Abstract: A method for producing thin silicon rods using a floating zone crystallization process includes supplying high frequency (HF) current to a flat induction coil having a central opening, a plurality of draw openings and a plate with a slot as a current supply of the HF current so as to provide a circumfluent current to the central opening. An upper end of a raw silicon rod is heated by induction using the flat induction coil so as to form a melt pool. A thin silicon rod is drawn upwards through each of the plurality of draw openings in the flat induction coil from the melt pool without drawing a thin silicon rod through the central opening having the circumfluent current.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2010Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: PV Silicon Forschungs und Produktions GmbHInventors: Helge Riemann, Friedrich-Wilhelm Schulze, Joerg Fischer, Matthias Renner
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Patent number: 8192544Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for manufacturing a polycrystalline silicon ingot for solar batteries having a door control device using a hinge. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a crucible, a susceptor which surrounds the crucible, a heater which heats the crucible, and an insulation plate which is disposed below the susceptor and has an opening therein. The apparatus further includes a cooling plate which moves upwards through the opening of the insulation plate and comes into close contact with or approaches the lower end of the susceptor, a cooling plate moving unit which actuates the cooling plate, a temperature sensor which measures the temperature of the crucible, and a control unit which controls the temperature in the crucible and the cooling plate moving unit. Furthermore, a door is provided on the insulation plate to open or close the opening of the insulation plate. The hinge is provided between the door and the insulation plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2008Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Chemical TechnologyInventors: Jong-Won Gil, Sang-Jin Moon, Won-Wook So
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Patent number: 8187381Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a gas delivery assembly are provided herein. In some embodiments, the gas delivery assembly includes a gas inlet funnel having a first volume and one or more gas conduits; each gas conduit having an inlet and an outlet for facilitating the flow of a gas therethrough and into the first volume, wherein each gas conduit has a second volume less than the first volume, and wherein each gas conduit has a cross-section that increases from a first cross-section proximate the inlet to a second cross-section proximate the outlet, wherein the second cross-section is non-circular. In some embodiments, each conduit has a longitudinal axis that intersects a central axis of the gas inlet funnel.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2008Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Kedarnath Sangam, Anh N. Nguyen
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Patent number: 8187382Abstract: A polycrystalline silicon manufacturing apparatus is provided which supplies raw gas to the inside of a reaction furnace and supplies a current from an electrode to a silicon seed rod in a state where the vertically extending silicon seed rod is uprightly stood on each of the plural electrodes disposed in a bottom plate portion of the reaction furnace so as to heat the silicon seed rod and thus to deposit polycrystalline silicon on a surface of the silicon seed rod by means of the reaction of the raw gas.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials CorporationInventors: Toshihide Endoh, Masayuki Tebakari, Toshiyuki Ishii, Masaaki Sakaguchi
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Patent number: 8182607Abstract: There is provided a method and apparatus for assessing in-situ crystal formation in a test sample. Both optical imaging and X-ray diffraction techniques are utilized, with the results of these processes being combined in such a way as to produce an overall score relating to the aptness of crystalline material for harvesting and subsequent X-ray crystallography.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Damian Kucharczyk, Richard Cooper, Paul William Loeffen
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Patent number: 8172945Abstract: A high-purity vitreous silica crucible used for pulling a large-diameter single-crystal silicon ingot, includes a double layered structure constituted by an outer layer composed of high-purity amorphous vitreous silica with a bubble content of 1 to 10% and a purity of 99.99% or higher, and an inner layer composed of high-purity amorphous vitreous silica s with a bubble content of 0.6% or less and a purity of 99.99% or higher, wherein, at least for an inner surface of the vitreous silica crucible between ingot-pulling start line and ingot-pulling end line of a silicon melt surface, a longitudinal section of the inner surface is shaped into a waveform, and depth and width of the ring grooves constituting the multi ring-groove patterned face are set in the range of 0.5 to 2 mm and 10 to 100 mm, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Japan Super Quartz CorporationInventor: Atushi Shimazu
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Patent number: 8172942Abstract: The arc discharge apparatus comprises a plurality of carbon electrodes connected to respective phases of a power supply for heating a silica powder and causing it to fuse by generating arc discharge between the carbon electrodes. All of the carbon electrodes have a density in a range from 1.30 g/cm3 to 1.80 g/cm3, and variability in density among the carbon electrodes is 0.2 g/cm3 or less. The carbon particles that constitute the carbon electrodes preferably have a particle diameter of 0.3 mm or less.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignees: Japan Super Quartz Corporation, Sumco CorporationInventors: Masanori Fukui, Koichi Suzuki, Takeshi Fujita
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Patent number: 8152920Abstract: A crucible and method for the crystallization of silicon utilize release coatings. The crucible is used in the handling of molten materials that are solidified in the crucible and then removed as ingots. The crucible does not require the preparation of a very thick coating at the end user facilities, is faster and cheaper to produce, presents an improved release effect and allows the production of silicon ingot without cracks. The crucible includes a base body, a substrate layer containing silicon nitride, an intermediate layer containing silica, and a surface layer containing silicon nitride, silicon dioxide and silicon.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2006Date of Patent: April 10, 2012Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible CompanyInventor: Gilbert Rancoule
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Patent number: 8123856Abstract: In the flux method, a source nitrogen gas is sufficiently heated before feeding to an Na—Ga mixture. The apparatus of the invention is provided for producing a group III nitride based compound semiconductor. The apparatus includes a reactor which maintains a group III metal and a metal differing from the group III metal in a molten state, a heating apparatus for heating the reactor, an outer vessel for accommodating the reactor and the heating apparatus, and a feed pipe for feeding a gas containing at least nitrogen from the outside of the outer vessel into the reactor. The feed pipe has a zone for being heated together with the reactor by means of the heating apparatus, wherein the zone is heated inside the outer vessel and outside the reactor.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2007Date of Patent: February 28, 2012Assignees: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., NGK Insulators, Ltd., Osaka UniversityInventors: Shiro Yamazaki, Makoto Iwai, Takanao Shimodaira, Takatomo Sasaki, Yusuke Mori, Fumio Kawamura
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Patent number: 8114215Abstract: The present invention reports a defect that has not been reported, and discloses a defect-controlled silicon ingot, a defect-controlled wafer, and a process and apparatus for manufacturing the same. The new defect is a crystal defect generated when a screw dislocation caused by a HMCZ (Horizontal Magnetic Czochralski) method applying a strong horizontal magnetic field develops into a jogged screw dislocation and propagates to form a cross slip during thermal process wherein a crystal is cooled. The present invention changes the shape and structure of an upper heat shield structure arranged between a heater and an ingot above a silicon melt, and controls initial conditions or operation conditions of a silicon single crystalline ingot growth process to reduce a screw dislocation caused by a strong horizontal magnetic field and prevent the screw dislocation from propagating into a cross slip.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Siltron, Inc.Inventors: Do-Won Song, Young-Hun Kim, Eun-Sang Ji, Young-Kyu Choi, Hwa-Jin Jo
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Patent number: 8114218Abstract: A single crystal pull apparatus has a multilayer crucible wherein the crucible has an outer crucible, an insertable layer intimately fitted thereon, and a wire frame positioned between the insertable layer and an inner crucible. The insertable layer, wire frame and inner crucible are preferably composed of platinum. Furthermore the insertable layers have thin walls and the frame has a small diameter such that they can be easily reshaped after any deformation occurring as a result of the single crystal growth process.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: Olexy V. Radkevich, Keith Ritter
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Patent number: 8101021Abstract: A population of nanocrystals having a narrow and controllable size distribution and can be prepared by a segmented-flow method.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2007Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Brian Yen, Axel Guenther, Klavs F. Jensen, Moungi G. Bawendi, Martin Schmidt
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Patent number: 8101019Abstract: In the method of making a monocrystalline or polycrystalline semiconductor material semiconductor raw material is introduced into a melting crucible and directionally solidified using a vertical gradient freeze method. The molten material trickles downward, so that the raw material that has not yet melted gradually slumps in the melting crucible. The semiconductor raw material is replenished from above onto a zone of semiconductor raw material which has not yet melted or is not completely melted to at least partly compensate for shrinkage of the raw material and to raise the filling level. To reduce the melting time and influence the thermal conditions in the system as little as possible, the semiconductor raw material to be replenished is heated to a temperature below its melting temperature and introduced into the crucible in the heated state.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: Schott AGInventors: Uwe Sahr, Matthias Mueller, Ingo Schwirtlich, Frank-Thomas Lentes, Frank Buellesfeld
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Patent number: 8097082Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjust local plasma density during a plasma process. One embodiment provides an electrode assembly comprising a conductive faceplate having a nonplanar surface. The nonplanar surface is configured to face a substrate during processing and the conductive faceplate is disposed so that the nonplanar surface is opposing a substrate support having an electrode. The conductive faceplate and the substrate support form a plasma volume. The nonplanar surface is configured to adjust electric field between the conductive plate and the electrode by varying a distance between the conductive plate and the electrode.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Jianhua Zhou, Deenesh Padhi, Karthik Janakiraman, Hang Yu, Siu F. Cheng, Yoganand Saripalli, Tersem Summan
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Patent number: 8097081Abstract: A high pressure apparatus and related methods for processing supercritical fluids. In a specific embodiment, the present apparatus includes a capsule, a heater, at least one ceramic ring but can be multiple rings, optionally, with one or more scribe marks and/or cracks present. In a specific embodiment, the apparatus optionally has a metal sleeve containing each ceramic ring. The apparatus also has a high-strength enclosure, end flanges with associated insulation, and a power control system. IN a specific embodiment, the apparatus is capable of accessing pressures and temperatures of 0.2-2 GPa and 400-1200° C., respectively.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Soraa, Inc.Inventor: Mark P. D'Evelyn
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Patent number: 8075689Abstract: In an apparatus for the production of a silica crucible comprising a carbon mold suitable for producing the silica crucible by the rotating mold method, the carbon mold has a thermal conductivity of not more than 125 W/(m·K).Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 13, 2011Assignee: Japan Super Quartz CorporationInventor: Masaru Sato
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Patent number: 8062423Abstract: A crystal-growing furnace with a convectional cooling structure includes a furnace body, a heating room, and at least one heater. The heating room is accommodated in the furnace body, and includes an upper partition, a plurality of side partitions, and a lower partition. The upper partition is provided with an upper opening, and the lower partition with a central opening. Further, the heating room is provided with an upper door, a lower door, an upper driver, and a lower driver. When silicon slurry is to be cooled and solidified, cooling gaseous stream flows into a lower portion of the heating room through the central opening. Then the upper opening is opened by the upper door which is driven by the upper driver, so that heated gaseous stream is discharged from the upper opening and flows downward along furnace inside wall, and flows back to the heating room from the central opening.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2008Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Green Energy Technology Inc.Inventor: Shiow-Jeng Lew
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Patent number: 8062422Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed to an apparatus for generating a precursor for a semiconductor processing system. In one embodiment, an apparatus for generating a precursor gas during a vapor deposition process is described. The apparatus includes a canister containing an interior volume between a lid and a bottom, a gaseous inlet and a gaseous outlet disposed on the lid, a plurality of silos coupled to the bottom and extending from a lower region to an upper region of the interior volume, and a tantalum precursor having a chlorine concentration of about 5 ppm or less contained within the lower region of the canister.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Ling Chen, Vincent W. Ku, Hua Chung, Christophe Marcadal, Seshadri Ganguli, Jenny Lin, Dien-Yeh Wu, Alan Ouye, Mei Chang
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Publication number: 20110277682Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for heat treating a substrate which includes a first processing chamber having a first processing region coupled with a precursor source assembly configured to deliver a silicon containing gas to an upper surface of a substrate disposed within the first processing region in order to form an amorphous silicon film on the upper surface. The system further includes a substrate support having a heating element configured to heat the substrate to a temperature sufficient to crystallize the amorphous silicon film by solid phase crystallization and to create a temperature gradient in which a temperature at the lower surface of the substrate is greater than a temperature at the upper surface of the amorphous silicon film and the temperature gradient is within a range from about 2° C. to about 10° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventors: Virnedra V. RANA, Robert Z. Bachrach
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Patent number: 8057598Abstract: Disclosed therein is an apparatus for producing a polycrystalline silicon ingot for a solar cell, which has uniform crystal grains formed by solidifying silicon melted in a crucible using a cooling plate. The polycrystalline silicon ingot producing apparatus includes: a crucible for melting silicon; conveying shafts for adjusting the height of the crucible; heaters for heating the crucible; and a cooling plate located below the crucible for cooling the crucible.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Inventors: Young Sang Cho, Young Jo Kim
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Patent number: 8057597Abstract: The present invention consists in obtaining, with the capsule described, a vertical gradient favorable for diamond growth that prevails over any radial gradient by means of heating discs placed at the ends of the heating area, which implies a considerable control over the growth conditions. More specifically, in regard to the rate of growth, it allows for a better control of the quality of large crystals. Another important novelty is to use a source of carbon with a special design formed by cylindrical and conical hollows (graphite, amorphous carbon, diamond or other) with a solvent metal with a number of gases that are introduced in the capsule. Also, a nitrogen scavenger is used to avoid the formation of nitrides, carbides and oxides that are harmful for the growth and that as a significant novelty is placed outside the reaction area.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2005Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Instituto de Monocristales, S.L.Inventors: Ramon Martin Parrondo, Dmitri Bagriantsev
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Patent number: 8034300Abstract: This apparatus for producing trichlorosilane includes: a vessel having a gas inlet that introduces a feed gas into the vessel and a gas outlet that discharges a reaction product gas to the outside; a plurality of silicon core rods provided inside the vessel; and a heating mechanism that heats the silicon core rods, wherein a feed gas containing silicon tetrachloride and hydrogen is reacted to produce a reaction product gas containing trichlorosilane and hydrogen chloride. The silicon core rods may be disposed so as to stand upright on the bottom of the vessel, and the heating mechanism may have electrode portions that hold the lower end portions of the silicon core rods on the bottom of the vessel and a power supply that applies an electric current to the silicon core rods through the electrode portions to heat the silicon core rods.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials CorporationInventor: Toshiyuki Ishii
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Patent number: 8016944Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing nanoparticles, including single-crystal semiconductor nanoparticles, are provided. The methods include the step of generating a constricted radiofrequency plasma in the presence of a precursor gas containing precursor molecules to form nanoparticles. Single-crystal semiconductor nanoparticles, including photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles, having diameters of no more than 10 nm may be fabricated in accordance with the methods.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Uwe Kortshagen, Elijah J. Thimsen, Lorenzo Mangolini, Ameya Bapat, David Jurbergs
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Patent number: 8012258Abstract: The liquid surface position of the melt in the crucible in the silicon single crystal growth process utilizing the Czochralski method is monitored using the melt surface position on the occasion of seeding as a reference position and an estimated melt surface position can be calculated according to every situation, so that the distance between the melt and the thermal shield or water-cooling structure can be controlled with high precision. When the estimated melt surface position passes a preset upper limit and approaches the thermal shield, an alarm goes off and, further, when the melt comes into contact with the thermal shield or approaches the water-cooling structure, an alarm goes off if desired and, at the same time, the crucible is forcedly stopped from moving, so that a serious accident such as steam-incurred explosion resulting from the melt coming into contact with the water-cooling structure can be prevented.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2007Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Sumco CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Hayakawa, Tokuji Maeda
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Patent number: 7993454Abstract: A surface modified quartz glass crucible and a process for modifying the crucible includes a layer of a metal oxide on the whole or a part of the inside and/or outside of the crucible, and baking it. At least an inside surface of the crucible is coated with a said metal oxide of magnesium, calcium, strontium or barium. The coated layer of the crucible does not abrade easily and provides a high dislocation free ratio of silicon single crystals pulled by using the crucible.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2010Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Japan Super Quartz CorporationInventors: Toshio Tsujimoto, Yoshiyuki Tsuji
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Patent number: 7993455Abstract: A polycrystalline silicon production apparatus is provided whereby when deposited silicon is caused to drip down into an underlying collection part by heating the reaction tube inner surface at a temperature equal to or above the melting point of silicon, the silicon melt can be prevented from solidifying at a lower end portion of the reaction tube due to temperature lowering at the lower end portion. When a reaction tube is heated with a high frequency heating coil, the temperature lowering at a lower end portion of the reaction tube is prevented through temperature lowering prevention means which may be an infrared device capable of heating the outer periphery of the lower end portion by means of infrared rays, or which may be a lower end coil that is constituted by a coil near the lower end of the high frequency heating coil and has an increased heating intensity relative to an upper coil.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2004Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Tokuyama CorporationInventors: Junichirou Nakashima, Hiroyuki Oda
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Patent number: 7981212Abstract: A flash lamp annealing device comprises a heater plate, a loader, a lamp set and a control circuit. The heater plate heats a wafer to a predetermined temperature. The wafer is loaded on the loader disposed on the heater plate. The lamp set has one or a plurality of lamps to provide the wafer with a power. The control circuit is coupled to the lamp set to control the flash time of the lamp set.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2006Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Fu-Kang Tien, Jui-Pin Hung
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Patent number: 7972439Abstract: In a method of growing single crystals from melt, the starting material is fused and a single crystal is pulled by crystallization of the melt on a seed crystal with controlled removal of the crystallization heat. Independent heating sources constituting thermal zones are used and constitute two equal-sized coaxial thermal zones which make up a united thermal area for the melt and the single crystal being grown and are separated by the melt starting material being carried out by heating the upper thermal zone with a heater 30-50% of power required for obtaining the melt, until in the upper thermal zone maximum temperature is reached The remaining power is supplied to the lower thermal zone to a lower heater with maintaining constant temperature of the upper thermal zone till complete melting of the charge. Single crystal enlargement and growing is conducted with controlled lowering of temperature in the upper thermal zone.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2005Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Inventor: Vladimir Iljich Amosov
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Patent number: 7964158Abstract: A method and apparatus for growing a single crystal KPb2Cl5 material using a device including a plug including an axis. The plug includes a first portion defining a cylindrical hole about the axis. The plug includes a second portion defining a first conical hole about the axis. The first conical hole has a first angle. The plug includes a third portion defining a second conical hole about the axis. The second conical hole has a second angle opposite in sign relative to the first angle. The plug includes a fourth portion defining a third conical hole about the axis. The third conical hole has a third angle, the third angle having a same sign as the second angle and being greater than the second angle. The device further includes an ampoule including the plug fused therein.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Nicholas J. Condon, Steven R. Bowman, Shawn P. O'Connor
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Patent number: 7959732Abstract: Apparatus and method for growing a crystal from a melt of a growth material, wherein crystal growth occurs at a solid-liquid interface between the melt and the crystal, and a characteristic of the solid-liquid interface is determined by using a float atop the melt and a detector for detecting displacement of the float. The characteristic of the solid-liquid interface can be at least one of the following: position, velocity or acceleration of the solid-liquid interface.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.Inventors: Jan Jozef Buzniak, Valery Prunier
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Publication number: 20110132256Abstract: The present invention consists in obtaining, with the capsule described, a vertical gradient favorable for diamond growth that prevails over any radial gradient by means of heating discs placed at the ends of the heating area, which implies a considerable control over the growth conditions. More specifically, in regard to the rate of growth, it allows for a better control of the quality of large crystals. Another important novelty is to use a source of carbon with a special design formed by cylindrical and conical hollows (graphite, amorphous carbon, diamond or other) with a solvent metal with a number of gases that are introduced in the capsule. Also, a nitrogen scavenger is used to avoid the formation of nitrides, carbides and oxides that are harmful for the growth and that as a significant novelty is placed outside the reaction area.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2005Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: INSTITUTO DE MONOCRISTALES, S.L.Inventors: Ramon Martin Parrondo, Dmitri Bagriantsev
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Patent number: 7955582Abstract: A method for producing crystallized silicon according to the EFG process by using a shaping part, between which part and a silicon melt, crystallized silicon grows in a growth zone. Inert gas and at least water vapor are fed into the silicon melt and/or growth zone, by means of which the oxygen content of the crystallized silicon is increased. From 50 to 250 ppm of vapor water is added to the inert gas, and the inert gas has an oxygen, CO and/or CO2 content of less than 20 ppm total.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Schott Solar GmbHInventors: Albrecht Seidl, Ingo Schwirtlich
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Patent number: 7942970Abstract: A composition including a polycrystalline metal nitride having a number of grains is provided. These grains have a columnar structure with one or more properties such as, an average grain size, a tilt angle, an impurity content, a porosity, a density, and an atomic fraction of the metal in the metal nitride. An apparatus for preparing a metal nitride is provided. The apparatus may include a housing having an interior surface that defines a chamber and an energy source to supply energy to the chamber. A first inlet may be provided to flow a nitrogen-containing gas into the chamber. Raw materials may be introduced into the chamber through a raw material inlet. A second inlet may be provided to flow in a halide-containing gas in the chamber. The apparatus may further include a controller, which communicates with the various components of the apparatus such as, sensors, valves, and energy source, and may optimize and control the reaction.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Momentive Performance Materials Inc.Inventors: Dong-Sil Park, Mark Philip D'Evelyn, Myles Standish Peterson, II, John Thomas Leman, Joell Randolph Hibshman, II, Fred Sharifi
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Patent number: 7927422Abstract: The use of microfluidic structures enables high throughput screening of protein crystallization. In one embodiment, an integrated combinatoric mixing chip allows for precise metering of reagents to rapidly create a large number of potential crystallization conditions, with possible crystal formations observed on chip. In an alternative embodiment, the microfluidic structures may be utilized to explore phase space conditions of a particular protein crystallizing agent combination, thereby identifying promising conditions and allowing for subsequent focused attempts to obtain crystal growth.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignees: National Institutes of Health (NIH), The United States of America as represented by the Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS), U.S. Government NIH Division of Extramural Inventions and Technology Resources (DEITR)Inventors: Carl L. Hansen, Morten Sommer, Stephen R. Quake
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Patent number: 7922817Abstract: A feed assembly and method of use thereof of the present invention is used for the addition of a high pressure dopant such as arsenic into a silicon melt for CZ growth of semiconductor silicon crystals. The feed assembly includes a vessel-and-valve assembly for holding dopant, and a feed tube assembly, attached to the vessel-and-valve assembly for delivering dopant to a silicon melt. An actuator is connected to the feed tube assembly and a receiving tube for advancing and retracting the feed tube assembly to and from the surface of the silicon melt. A brake assembly is attached to the actuator and the receiving tube for restricting movement of the feed tube assembly and locking the feed tube assembly at a selected position.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.Inventors: Massoud Javidi, Steve Garner
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Patent number: 7922815Abstract: A system and method for growing diamond crystals from diamond crystal seeds by epitaxial deposition at low temperatures and atmospheric and comparatively low pressures. A solvent is circulated (by thermal convection and/or pumping), wherein carbon is added in a hot leg, transfers to a cold leg having, in some embodiments, a range of progressively lowered temperatures and concentrations of carbon via the circulating solvent, and deposits layer-by-layer on diamond seeds located at the progressively lower temperatures since as diamond deposits the carbon concentration lowers and the temperature is lowered to keep the solvent supersaturated. The solvent includes metal(s) or compound(s) that have low melting temperatures and transfer carbon at comparatively low temperatures. A controller receives parameter signals from a variety of sensors located in the system, processes these signals, and optimizes diamond deposition by outputting the necessary control signals to a plurality of control devices (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Inventor: Zalman M. Shapiro
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Patent number: 7918937Abstract: A method of producing an epitaxial layer on a substrate of silicon carbide is provided. Utilizing the system, silicon carbide can be grown with a thickness uniformity that is better than 5% at a growth rate which is at least 100 ?m/hour. The method comprises providing a cavity with a source material and a substrate of monolithic silicon carbide, evacuating the cavity and raising the temperature to 1400° C. Then the temperature is increased at a rate of about 20° C./min until a predetermined growth temperature is reached. Thereafter, the temperature is kept such that a predetermined growth rate between 10 ?m/min and 300 ?m/min is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2006Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: EL-Seed Corp.Inventors: Mikael Syväjärvi, Rositsa Yakimova
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Publication number: 20110073034Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for vapour phase crystal growth to produce multiple single crystals in one growth cycle comprising one central source chamber, a plurality of growth chambers, a plurality of passage means adapted for transport of vapour from the source chamber to the growth chambers, wherein the source chamber is thermally decoupled from the growth chambers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: March 31, 2011Applicant: DURHAM SCIENTIFIC CRYSTALS LIMITEDInventors: Arnab Basu, Max Robinson, Ben Cantwell, Andy Brinkman
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Patent number: 7909931Abstract: The present invention provides a silica glass crucible for manufacturing a silicon single crystal, in which melt vibration can be controlled more certainly and a high yield of single crystal can be realized. A first substantially bubble-free layer 10a having a thickness of 100 ?m-450 ?m is formed on the inner periphery side of an initial melt line zone 10 which has a height of 10 mm-30 mm, of a transparent layer, a bubble-containing layer 10b having a thickness of 100 ?m or more and bubbles with an average diameter of 20 ?m-60 ?m is formed outside the above-mentioned first substantially bubble-free layer 10a, and a second substantially bubble-free layer 10c having a thickness of 300 ?m or more is formed on the inner periphery side in the whole region lower than the above-mentioned initial melt line zone 10.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Covalent Materials CorporationInventors: Ryouhei Saito, Toshiyuki Kikuchi, Kiyoaki Misu, Kazuko Fukutani, Kazuyoshi Kato
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Patent number: 7901508Abstract: An approach for the growth of high-quality epitaxial silicon carbide (SiC) films and boules, using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technique is described here. The method comprises modifications in the design of the typical cold-wall CVD reactors, providing a better temperature uniformity in the reactor bulk and a low temperature gradient in the vicinity of the substrate, and an approach to increase the silicon carbide growth rate and to improve the quality of the growing layers, using halogenated carbon-containing precursors (carbon tetrachloride CCl4 or halogenated hydrocarbons, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH3Cl, etc.), or introducing other chlorine-containing species in the gas phase in the growth chamber. The etching effect, proper ranges, and high temperature growth are also examined.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Widetronix, Inc.Inventors: Yuri Makarov, Michael Spencer
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Patent number: 7879150Abstract: A silicon carbide manufacturing device includes a graphite crucible, in which a seed crystal is disposed, a gas-inducing pipe coupled with the graphite crucible, and an attachment prevention apparatus. The gas-inducing pipe has a column-shaped hollow part, through which a source gas flows into the graphite crucible. The attachment prevention apparatus includes a rod extending to a flow direction of the source gas, and a revolving and rotating element for revolving the rod along an inner wall of the gas-inducing pipe while rotating the rod on an axis of the rod in parallel to the flow direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2007Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Masao Nagakubo, Fusao Hirose, Yasuo Kitoh