Abstract: A crystal pulling apparatus for producing a silicon crystal ingot having a reduced amount of metal contamination. The apparatus includes a growth chamber and a component disposed within the growth chamber having a protective layer of silicon nitride for preventing metal contamination of the crystal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a filtration system for purifying water, in particular aquaculture water. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of purifying water wherein water is supplied to a filtration system, comprising filtration medium for filtering water and a grid for preventing water channeling within the filter wherein said grid comprises means for allowing passage of said filtration medium through the grid, and a water recirculation system for purifying contaminated water from aquaculture and recirculating purified water to the aquaculture.

Abstract: A vitreous crucible for holding semiconductor material during a moncrystalline ingot growing process has a sidewall. Part of the sidewall is coated with a devitrification promoter and part of the sidewall is substantially free from devitrification promoter coating. When the crucible is heated as it would be during an ingot growing process, the devitrification promoter induces crystallization of portions of the sidewall, thereby forming enhanced stiffness sidewall portions. Areas that are substantially free from devitrification promoters remain vitreous and are softened by the heat. These become stress accommodating sidewall portions. Flow of the vitreous material in the stress accommodating sidewall portions relieves stresses that would otherwise build up in the sidewall.

Abstract: The invention is directed to apparatus and methods for measuring and for reducing dust in granular polysilicon. In one aspect, a system includes a process vessel having a vacuum port for pulling dust from the polysilicon. Another system of the invention includes a baffle tube for receiving a polysilicon flow. A measuring system includes a manifold and filter for separating and measuring the dust from a flow of polysilicon. The invention is also directed to methods of using the systems, to methods of manufacturing and packaging granular polysilicon, and to a supply of granular polysilicon.

Abstract: A melter assembly supplies a charge of molten source material to a crystal forming apparatus for use in forming crystalline bodies. The melter assembly comprises a housing and a crucible located in the housing. A heater is disposed relative to the crucible for melting solid source material received in the crucible. The crucible has a nozzle to control the flow of molten source material such that a directed flow of molten source material can be supplied to the crystal forming apparatus at a selected flow rate.

Abstract: A method of charging a crystal forming apparatus with molten source material is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning a melter assembly relative to the crystal forming apparatus for delivering molten silicon to a crucible of the apparatus. An upper heating coil in the melter assembly is operated to melt source material in a melting crucible. A lower heating coil in the melter assembly is operated to allow molten source material to flow through an orifice of the melter assembly to deliver a stream of molten source material to the crucible of the crystal forming apparatus. The invention is also directed to a method of charging a crystal puller with molten silicon including the step of removing an upper housing of the crystal puller defining a pulling chamber from a lower housing of the crystal puller defining a growth chamber and attaching the lower housing in place of the upper housing.

Abstract: A method of servicing multiple crystal forming apparatus with a single melter assembly is provided. The method includes the steps of positioning the melter assembly relative to a first crystal forming apparatus for delivering molten silicon to a crucible of the first apparatus. A heater in the melter assembly is operated to melt source material in a melting crucible. A stream of molten source material is delivered from the melter assembly to the first crystal forming apparatus. The melter assembly is positioned relative to a second crystal forming apparatus for delivering molten silicon to a crucible of the second apparatus. A stream of molten source material is transferred from the melter assembly to the second crystal forming apparatus.

Abstract: A method of optimizing direct marketing campaigns to a pool of potential donors, comprising defining a plurality of segments, wherein each potential donor is a member of no more than one respective segment, defining and associating a respective package with each segment wherein each package is indicative of the material to be sent to members of the respective segment, activating or fixing in time a first segmentation comprised of one or more of the segments, sending the respective package to members of the respective segments, thereafter associating responses with respective segments in a computer database, calculating a response rate and an average gift amount for each respective segment, and creating a new, optimized segmentation based on the responses obtained from the first segmentation. Another method includes means for ranking segments in a hierarchical fashion and optimizing projected return on investment based on an optimized segment hierarchy.

Abstract: A crystal puller and method for growing single crystal semiconductor material having a susceptor assembly that includes a susceptor disposed in the crystal puller for receiving and holding a crucible. The side wall of the susceptor is in generally radially opposed relationship with the side wall of the crucible. A sealing member of the assembly is adapted for close contact relationship with the crucible side wall and the susceptor side wall to generally seal between the crucible and the susceptor any gaseous product resulting from a reaction of the crucible with the susceptor against escape from between the crucible and the susceptor, thereby inhibiting the reaction of the crucible with the susceptor.