Abstract: A silica glass crucible includes a stable, bubble-free inner layer and an opaque outer layer, both layers demonstrating reduced bubble growth during a Czochralski process. When used in the CZ process, little volume change is observed in the crucible wall, and the crucible has little influence on melt level. The present crucible is especially suited for slow silicon ingot pulling with reduced crystalline defects. The fusion process of the present invention controls the dynamic gas balance at the fusion front where formed grain is melted to dense fused silica.

Abstract: A silica glass crucible includes a stable, bubble-free inner layer and an opaque outer layer, both layers demonstrating reduced bubble growth during a Czochralski process. When used in the CZ process, little volume change is observed in the crucible wall, and the crucible has little influence on melt level. The present crucible is especially suited for slow silicon ingot pulling with reduced crystalline defects. The fusion process of the present invention controls the dynamic gas balance at the fusion front where formed grain is melted to dense fused silica.

Abstract: A silica glass crucible is disclosed comprising a barium-doped inner wall layer. The crucible is made by introducing into a rotating crucible mold bulk silica grain to form a bulky wall. After heating the interior of the mold to fuse the bulk silica grains, an inner silica grain, doped with barium, is introduced. The heat at least partially melts the inner silica grain, allowing it to fuse to the wall to form an inner layer. The inner layer of the crucible crystallizes when used in a CZ process, extending the operating life of the crucible.

Abstract: A silica glass crucible is disclosed comprising a barium-doped inner wall layer. The crucible is made by introducing into a rotating crucible mold bulk silica grain to form a bulky wall. After heating the interior of the mold to fuse the bulk silica grains, an inner silica grain, doped with barium, is introduced. The heat at least partially melts the inner silica grain, allowing it to fuse to the wall to form an inner layer. The inner layer of the crucible crystallizes when used in a CZ process, extending the operating life of the crucible.

Abstract: A silica glass crucible is disclosed comprising a barium-doped inner wall layer. The crucible is made by introducing into a rotating crucible mold bulk silica grain to form a bulky wall. After heating the interior of the mold to fuse the bulk silica grains, an inner silica grain, doped with barium, is introduced. The heat at least partially melts the inner silica grain, allowing it to fuse to the wall to form an inner layer. The inner layer of the crucible crystallizes when used in a CZ process, extending the operating life of the crucible.

Abstract: Silica crucibles containing an inner layer which is substantially pure and substantially bubble-free and methods for making such crucibles. The inner layer is also substantially stable against roughening and spot devitrification. The inner layer is formed by making a web structure which is then converted to a continuous layer, thereby minimizing or eliminating bubble formation. The inner layer is also formed using a gettering agent which getters alkaline and alkaline-earth elements while the inner layer is formed. The alkaline and alkaline-earth elements are gettered on an innermost portion of the inner layer which is later removed, leaving an inner layer with relatively few impurities. When used in a CZ-crystal growing process, the inner surface of the crucible remains smooth and substantially no bubbles grow in the inner layer.

Abstract: A crucible adapted for use in formation of a silicon crystal comprises a crucible wall including a bottom wall and a side wall. An inner layer is formed on an inner portion of the crucible wall and has distributed therein a crystallization agent containing an element selected from the group consisting of barium, aluminum, titanium and strontium.

Abstract: Silica crucibles containing an inner layer which is substantially pure and substantially bubble-free and methods for making such crucibles. The inner layer is also substantially stable against roughening and spot devitrification. The inner layer is formed by making a web structure which is then converted to a continuous layer, thereby minimizing or eliminating bubble formation. The inner layer is also formed using a gettering agent which getters alkaline and alkaline-earth elements while the inner layer is formed. The alkaline and alkaline-earth elements are gettered on an innermost portion of the inner layer which is later removed, leaving an inner layer with relatively few impurities. When used in a CZ-crystal growing process, the inner surface of the crucible remains smooth and substantially no bubbles grow in the inner layer.