Apparatus Characterized By Composition Or Treatment Thereof (e.g., Surface Finish, Surface Coating) Patents (Class 117/900)
  • Patent number: 6562130
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for axially growing single crystal silicon carbide is provided. Utilizing the system, silicon carbide can be grown with a dislocation density of less than 104 per square centimeter, a micropipe density of less than 10 per square centimeter, and a secondary phase inclusion density of less than 10 per cubic centimeter. As disclosed, a SiC source and a SiC seed crystal of the desired polytype are co-located within a crucible, the growth zone being defined by the substantially parallel surfaces of the source and the seed in combination with the sidewalls of the crucible. Prior to reaching the growth temperature, the crucible is evacuated and sealed, either directly or through the use of a secondary container housing the crucible. The crucible is comprised of tantalum or niobium that has been specially treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: The Fox Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Alexandrovich Vodakov, Evgeny Nikolaevich Mokhov, Mark Grigorievich Ramm, Alexandr Dmitrievich Roenkov, Yury Nikolaevich Makarov, Sergei Yurievich Karpov, Mark Spiridonovich Ramm, Leonid Iosifovich Temkin
  • Patent number: 6547877
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for axially growing single crystal silicon carbide is provided. Utilizing the system, silicon carbide can be grown with a dislocation density of less than 104 per square centimeter, a micropipe density of less than 10 per square centimeter, and a secondary phase inclusion density of less than 10 per cubic centimeter. As disclosed, a SiC source and a SiC seed crystal of the desired polytype are co-located within a crucible, the growth zone being defined by the substantially parallel surfaces of the source and the seed in combination with the sidewalls of the crucible. Prior to reaching the growth temperature, the crucible is evacuated and sealed, either directly or through the use of a secondary container housing the crucible. The crucible is comprised of tantalum or niobium that has been specially treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: The Fox Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Alexandrovich Vodakov, Evgeny Nikolaevich Mokhov, Mark Grigorievich Ramm, Alexandr Dmitrievich Roenkov, Yury Nikolaevich Makarov, Sergei Yurievich Karpov, Mark Spiridonovich Ramm, Leonid Iosifovich Temkin
  • Patent number: 6544333
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes and reactor apparatus for rapidly producing large diameter, high-purity polycrystalline silicon rods for semiconductor applications. A.C. current, having a fixed or variable high frequency in the range of about 2 kHz to 800 kHz, is provided to concentrate at least 70% of the current in an annular region that is the outer 15% of a growing rod due to the “skin effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Silicon Materials LLC
    Inventors: David W. Keck, Ronald O. Russell, Howard J. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6540828
    Abstract: A simple and inexpensive method and apparatus for producing crystalline silicon comprising the steps of melting silicon in a mold, then cooling the bottom of the mold is cooled to create a positive temperature gradient from the bottom of the mold upward, thereby causing the molten silicon to crystallize from the inner bottom of the mold upward so that the solid-liquid phase boundary, separating the crystallized silicon from the molten silicon, moves upward as the molten silicon crystallizes. As the silicon crystallizes, an inert gas is blown onto the surface of the molten silicon from a position above the surface of the molten silicon, thereby vibrating the surface of the molten silicon in such a manner that cavities are formed in the surface of the molten silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
    Inventors: Saburo Wakita, Yoshinobu Nakada, Junichi Sasaki, Yuji Ishiwari
  • Patent number: 6537371
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for axially growing single crystal silicon carbide is provided. Utilizing the system, silicon carbide can be grown with a dislocation density of less than 104 per square centimeter, a micropipe density of less than 10 per square centimeter, and a secondary phase inclusion density of less than 10 per cubic centimeter. As disclosed, a SiC source and a SiC seed crystal of the desired polytype are co-located within a crucible, the growth zone being defined by the substantially parallel surfaces of the source and the seed in combination with the sidewalls of the crucible. Prior to reaching the growth temperature, the crucible is evacuated and sealed, either directly or through the use of a secondary container housing the crucible. The crucible is comprised of tantalum or niobium that has been specially treated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Fox Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Alexandrovich Vodakov, Evgeny Nikolaevich Mokhov, Mark Grigorievich Ramm, Alexandr Dmitrievich Roenkov, Yury Nikolaevich Makarov, Sergei Yurievich Karpov, Mark Spiridonovich Ramm, Leonid Iosifovich Temkin
  • Publication number: 20030047132
    Abstract: A method of growing epitaxial layers on a wafer is provided and includes providing a wafer carrier having a surface for retaining the wafer; placing the wafer on the wafer-retaining surface of the wafer carrier while the wafer carrier is in a loading position separated from a spindle; transporting the wafer carrier toward the spindle; detachably mounting the wafer carrier on the upper end of the spindle for rotation therewith; and rotating the spindle and the wafer carrier while introducing one or more reactants into the reaction chamber. The invention also described several embodiments and variants of the method of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: Emcore Corporation
    Inventors: Vadim Boguslavskiy, Alexander Gurary
  • Patent number: 6514339
    Abstract: A laser annealing apparatus for sequential lateral solidification (SLS) to uniformly crystallize silicon on an entire silicon substrate by minimizing the dislocation of the silicon substrate during laser beam irradiation is disclosed. During the laser annealing, a vacuum chuck holds the silicon substrate on a movable stage. The device includes a laser source, an optical system patterning the shape and energy of a laser beam irradiated from the laser source, a vacuum chuck supporting a silicon substrate, and a movable stage supporting the vacuum chuck as well as transferring the vacuum chuck in a predetermined direction. Accordingly, the apparatus improves the degree of crystallization because it is able to uniformly carry out SLS on an entire surface of the silicon substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: LG. Philips Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Ho Jung
  • Publication number: 20030012899
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: Heraeus Shin-Etsu America
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Kemmochi, Robert Mosier, Paul Spencer
  • Patent number: 6482263
    Abstract: A heat shield assembly is adapted for location within a crystal puller, with respect to a crucible, above molten source material held by the crucible in the puller. The heat shield assembly has a central opening sized and shaped for surrounding the ingot as the ingot is pulled from the molten material and is generally interposed between the ingot and the crucible as the ingot is pulled from the source material. The heat shield assembly comprises an outer reflector having an inner surface and an outer surface in generally opposed, spaced relationship with a side wall of the crucible, and an inner reflector located inward of the outer reflector. The inner reflector is constructed of a material having a low emissivity and has an outer surface in generally opposed relationship with the inner surface of the outer reflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee W. Ferry, Steven L. Kimbel, Kirk D. McCallum, Richard G. Schrenker
  • Patent number: 6475278
    Abstract: A molecular beam source comprising a crucible having an opening, and a heater mounted to the crucible for evaporating by heating a molecular beam generating material accommodated in the crucible to emit a molecular beam from the opening, wherein the crucible has an accommodating section for accommodating the molecular beam generating material, a bent portion provided between the opening and the accommodating section so that the molecular beam generating material accommodated in the accommodating section does not face the opening directly, and a narrowed portion between the bent portion and the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takaya Nakabayashi, Shuji Makino
  • Patent number: 6471772
    Abstract: A laser irradiating apparatus includes a cylindrical lens group that divides a laser beam and a cylindrical lens that re-couples a laser beam as divided. The cylindrical lens is shaped in a parallelogram whose angles are not a right angle, thereby being capable of dispersing a portion where interference is strengthened in a laser beam to restrain irradiation unevenness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6458203
    Abstract: There are provided a CZ system for manufacturing a single-crystal ingot, which produces a perfect crystal with good reproducibility through growth of a single-crystal ingot, as well as a method of manufacturing the single-crystal ingot. A system of manufacturing a single-crystal ingot by pulling a single-crystal ingot from molten raw material by means of a Czochralski technique, the system including measurement means for measuring the distance between the level of molten raw material and the bottom of a heat-shielding member. On the basis of the thus-measured distance, the temperature gradient of area G1 of the single-crystal pulled silicon ingot is controlled so as to produce a perfect crystal with good reproducibility, by means of controlling any factor for pulling a single-crystal silicon ingot selected from the group comprising the amount of heat applied to silicon melt, the level of silicon melt, and the pull rate of a single-crystal silicon ingot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Inventors: Tadayuki Hanamoto, Shigeo Morimoto, Masato Moriya, Toshirou Kotooka
  • Patent number: 6455160
    Abstract: The high purity C/C composite formed by graphitizing a molded member packed with carbon fibers and carbon material of a matrix. The carbon fibers are high purified under halogen gas atmosphere. The purified carbon fibers are molded into the desired shape on a tool or in die with infiltrating the matrix. The molded member packed with carbon fibers and carbon material of the matrix are either independently or simultaneously graphitized and then high-purification under halogen gas atmosphere. According to the present process, the metal impurities can be very low contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiharu Hiraoka, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20020129760
    Abstract: An apparatus for pulling up a strip of semiconductor crystal continuously from a crucible with a pair of endless belts has a position control device for automatically adjusting a transverse position of the strip of semiconductor crystal. The position control device is disposed in a path for pulling up the strip of semiconductor crystal from the crucible. The position control device comprises a pair of blocks disposed one on each side of the path transversely of the strip of semiconductor crystal and movable transversely of the strip of semiconductor crystal, and a pair of position sensors mounted respectively on the blocks for detecting respective edges of the strip of semiconductor crystal. The blocks have respective side faces for adjusting a direction in which the strip of semiconductor crystal is pulled up, by contacting the respective edges of the strip of semiconductor crystal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Inventors: Kenji Terao, Hideyuki Isozaki, Yasuyoshi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6451269
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the regeneration of contaminated acid. The process involves cooling the contaminated acid to a lower temperature sufficient to form at least one liquid hydrate of the acid without forming a solid hydrate of the acid, maintaining the contaminated acid at the lower temperature for a time sufficient to form at least one liquid hydrate of the acid and precipitate an amount of the contaminants, separating the precipitated contaminants from the cooled acid, and warming the acid to decompose the liquid hydrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Waterworks International, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence D. Conant
  • Patent number: 6447607
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for growing thin films onto the surface of a substrate by exposing the substrate to alternately repeated surface reactions of vapor-phase reactants. The apparatus comprises at least one process chamber having a tightly sealable structure, at least one reaction chamber having a structure suitable for adapting into the interior of said process chamber and comprising a reaction space of which at least a portion is movable, infeed means connectable to said reaction space for feeding said reactants into said reaction space, and outfeed means connectable to said reaction space for discharging excess reactants and reaction gases from said reaction space, and at least one substrate adapted into said reaction space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: ASM Microchemistry Oy
    Inventors: Pekka T. Soininen, Vaino Kilpi
  • Patent number: 6447603
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing an oxide single crystal, including the steps of: melting a raw material for a single crystal of an oxide inside a crucible, contacting a seed crystal with the resulting melt, growing the oxide single crystal by pulling-down the melt through an opening of the crucible in a given pulling-down axis, and fixedly holding the seed crystal and then reducing an angle of a given crystalline orientation of the seed crystal selected for growing the single crystal to the pulling-down axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Imai, Akihiko Honda, Minoru Imaeda
  • Patent number: 6444027
    Abstract: A modified susceptor for use in an epitaxial deposition apparatus and process is disclosed. The modified susceptor has an inner annular ledge capable of supporting a semiconductor wafer and has a plurality of holes in the surface to allow cleaning gas utilized during an epitaxial deposition process to pass through the susceptor and contact substantially the entire back surface of the semiconductor wafer and remove a native oxide layer. Also, the plurality of holes on the susceptor allows dopant atoms out-diffused from the back surface during the epitaxial deposition process to be carried away from the front surface in an inert gas stream and into the exhaust such that autodoping of the front surface is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Chiun-Chieh Yang, Robert W. Standley
  • Publication number: 20020108557
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for efficient utilization of charge replenishment rods in Czochralski silicon crystal growing processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: August 15, 2002
    Inventors: Henry D. Wood, John Peter Hill, Jay Curtis Nelson, William John Juhasz, Howard J. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6423136
    Abstract: A crucible having an inner surface which is not wetted by a melt which shrinks when it solidifies, is provided with indentations in its walls, the indentatons located remote from its rim. The indentations are located beneath a lateral plane through the walls of the crucible, at about two-thirds (66.6%) of the vertical height of the walls, measured from the floor of the crucible, support an ingot grown in it. Supporting the crystal provides a gap between the bottom of the ingot and the inner surface of the bottom of the crucible. The gap allows more uniform heat transfer from the bottom of the crucible than is provided when there is no gap; the gap provides a controllable temperature gradient between the interior and exterior of the crucible. To direct propagation of the growth of a macrocrystal, the bottom of the crucible is provided with at least one set of multiple grooves in parallel relationship with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Carl Francis Swinehart
  • Publication number: 20020078882
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for forming a denuded zone and an epitaxial layer on a semiconductor wafer used in manufacturing electronic components. The denuded zone and epitaxial layer are formed in one chamber. The apparatus includes a plurality of upstanding pins immovably mounted on a susceptor and maintain a semiconductor wafer spaced from the susceptor during both application of the epitaxial layer and formation of the denuded zone. Fast cooling of the wafer is accomplished by having the wafer out of conductive heat transfer relation with the susceptor during cooling thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: MEMC Electronic Materials Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Torack, Michael J. Ries
  • Patent number: 6409831
    Abstract: This invention relates to fabrication of a single crystal of a compound semiconductor according to the vertical Bridgman method which improves a recess in the interface between solid and melt and can obtain a stable yield of single crystal growth characterized in that a part for discharging the heat of a crucible to the outside in the radial direction is formed at least in a part in the circumferential direction of a heater part for controlling the interface between solid and melt in a heater which surrounds the crucible and a semiconductor melt is gradually solidified from a lower part to an upper part in the crucible while maintaining the interface between solid and melt in a saddle shape, thereby growing a single crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Mizuniwa, Kenya Itani, Michinori Wachi
  • Patent number: 6409832
    Abstract: A device for promoting protein crystal growth (PCG) using microfluidic channels. A protein sample and a solvent solution are combined within a microfluidic channel having laminar flow characteristics which forms diffusion zones, providing for a well defined crystallization. Protein crystals can then be harvested from the device. The device is particularly suited for microgravity conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Micronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard H. Weigl, Jurgen Sygusch
  • Patent number: 6402837
    Abstract: A fully automated, high output robotic station for the crystallization of proteins and other biopolymers via the sitting drop vapor diffusion and micro-batch methods. This station performs microplate feeding, liquid aspiration, dilution, and dispensing, as well as microplate sealing and storage into a temperature controlled hotel. All functions are microprocessor controlled. The operator designs the process via graphical user interface, after which the station executes the process automatically to completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventors: Abraham Shtrahman, Matthew Shtrahman, Gregory Shtrahman
  • Patent number: 6402838
    Abstract: A crystal growth vessel for growing a crystal within a main container has a crystal growth starting portion in which the crystal starts to grow, whereas the crystal growth starting portion is formed from a material having a thermal conductivity higher than that of a material of the main container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hagi, Shigeto Kato
  • Publication number: 20020062784
    Abstract: For producing ultra pure materials a first station has a porous gas distributor. A material supply supplies material to the porous gas distributor. A gas source supplies gas to the distributor and through the distributor to the material in contact with the distributor. A heater adjacent the porous gas distributor heats and melts the material as gas is passed through the material. Dopant and a treatment liquid is or solid supplied to the material. Treated material is discharged from the first station into a second station. A second porous gas distributor in the second station distributes gas through the material in the second station. A crucible receives molten material from the second station for casting, crystal growing in the crucible or for refilling other casting or crystal growth crucibles. The material and the porous gas distributor move with respect to each other. One porous gas distributor is cylindrical and is tipped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventor: Kiril A. Pandelisev
  • Patent number: 6383287
    Abstract: A system and method for performing diffusion on a three-dimensional substrate is provided. The system includes a furnace for providing a doped (e.g., p-type) molten semiconductor material and a dropper for converting the molten semiconductor material into a series of uniformly sized droplets. The droplets are then provided to a first tube where they solidify into a semiconductor crystals. The semiconductor crystals are then heated for a predetermined period of time until an outer layer of the semiconductor crystals is melted. The melted outer layer can then be doped (e.g., n-type) and then allowed to re-solidify. As a result, a plurality of spherical shaped p-n devices is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Ball Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Murali Hanabe, Nainesh J. Patel, Michael Perdue
  • Patent number: 6379460
    Abstract: A thermal shield device is equipped in a crystal-pulling apparatus for pulling a silicon monocrystal ingot from a silicon melt reserved in a quartz crucible having an outer peripheral surface encircled with a heater. The thermal shield device has a tubular part to be used for surrounding a silicon monocrystal ingot being pulled and grown in an upward direction to prevent radiant heat from the heater toward the silicon monocrystal ingot. The tubular part has a lower end positioned above a surface of the silicon melt with a predetermined spacing therebetween. A protruding part is formed on a lower portion of the tubular part and filled with a thermal-insulating member. The protruding part extends to the inside of the tubular part and has a bottom wall, a vertical wall, and a top wall. The bottom wall is shaped like a ring having an outer edge connected to a lower edge of the tubular part and extends to the proximity of an outer peripheral surface of the silicon monocrystal ingot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Materials Silicon Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Harada, Yoji Suzuki, Senlin Fu, Hisashi Furuya
  • Publication number: 20020029737
    Abstract: Provided are a quartz glass crucible for pulling up a silicon single crystal, with which not only a defectless silicon single crystal can be pulled up but a single crystallization ratio can greatly be improved, and a production method therefor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Applicant: Shin Etsu Quartz Products Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuhiro Sato, Shigeo Mizuno, Yasuo Ohama
  • Publication number: 20020014197
    Abstract: Disclosed are processes and reactor apparatus for rapidly producing large diameter, high-purity polycrystalline silicon rods for semiconductor applications. A.C. current, having a fixed or variable high frequency in the range of about 2 kHz to 800 kHz, is provided to concentrate at least 70% of the current in an annular region that is the outer 15% of a growing rod due to the “skin effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Publication date: February 7, 2002
    Inventors: David W. Keck, Ronald O. Russell, Howard J. Dawson
  • Patent number: 6344084
    Abstract: A combinatorial molecular layer epitaxy apparatus is provided which includes a common chamber (22) having pressure therein controllable; one or more conveyable substrate heating units (36) having a substrate holder (48) for holding one or more substrates in the common chamber; and one or more process conducting chambers (24, 26, 28) having pressure therein controllable and provided to correspond to the substrate heating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2002
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hideomi Koinuma, Masashi Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 6340391
    Abstract: A method for producing a single crystal by pulling the single crystal with a wire according to the Czochralski method, wherein temperature around an end of joint part of the wire and a seed crystal holder is controlled so as not to exceed 1200° C., preferably 800° C., at any time, and material of the wire is one selected from tungsten, stainless steel and molybdenum, and a pulling apparatus therefor. According to the present invention, there can be provided a method in which temperature around an end of joint part of a wire and a seed crystal holder is controlled so as not to exceed a temperature at which material degradation of the wire begins during the period of from seeding to an early stage of the pulling, and a pulling apparatus therefor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai Co.
    Inventors: Eiichi Iino, Kouji Kitagawa
  • Patent number: 6338757
    Abstract: The present invention was achieved in order to provide an apparatus for pulling a single crystal with which a single crystal having a low density of grown-in defects called infrared scatterers, dislocation clusters or the like can be grown. In the apparatus for pulling a single crystal having a crucible to be charged with a melt, a heater arranged around the crucible, a straightening vane in the shape of a side surface of an inverted truncated cone or a cylinder surrounding a pulled single crystal and a heat shield plate for inhibiting the radiant heat from diverging upward in the chamber from the side surface of the pulled single crystal located in the vicinity of the melt surface are arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Manabu Nishimoto, Masahiko Okui, Takayuki Kubo, Shingo Kizaki, Junji Horii
  • Patent number: 6334898
    Abstract: A crucible holder made of a carbon material for use in crystal pulling operations and in the shape of a hollow receptacle. The holder includes at least two distinct and complementary parts that can be brought together by junction surfaces. When the parts are assembled to form the crucible holder, specific portions of the junction surfaces overlap to form at least one overlap area. The crucible holder can limit chemical reactions between the crucible and the holder and prolong the lives of both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Le Carbone Lorraine
    Inventor: Christophe Bommier
  • Patent number: 6315966
    Abstract: Continuously operated, two-part crystallizer which is particularly suitable for the resolution of racemic mixtures, and process for separating solid mixtures which are difficult to separate, in particular racemates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Haarmann & Reimer GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Dieter Baumgard, Bernhard Haedke, Josef Himmelreich, Helmut Judat
  • Patent number: 6309460
    Abstract: A containment system (1) for use in cleaning of an MBE chamber contains a two part housing in a clam-shell like structure with upper (5) and lower (7) housing sections that are latched together (8) with the walls defining a containment region. The housing is secured to the face of the MBE chamber with the source flange cover of that chamber received through an opening in the rear wall (13 & 19). A closure (28) permits opening or closing a front access opening in the housing through which the containment region may be accessed. The housing includes a exhaust vent tube (11). The containment system includes the means for detecting fire (34) in the confinement region and extinguishing the fires (35) and exhausting any gases through the vent tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Todd K. Makishi
  • Patent number: 6302957
    Abstract: An inner surface of a quartz crucible after being used is cleaned by an acid liquid, and an extraneous material adhered to its inner surface is removed. The inner surface after the extraneous material has been removed is heat treated at 1600° C. or more, and the inner surface where cristobalite formation occurs is recovered into an amorphous state. In this manner, the quartz crucible after being used for growing single crystal silicon is reproduced to a level equal to a new crucible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Ito, Hiroki Murakami
  • Patent number: 6287381
    Abstract: An optical dome or window formed of a composition which is transmissive to infrared frequencies in the range of from about 1 micron to about 14 microns and which is relatively opaque to substantially all frequencies above about 14 microns consisting essentially of a compound taken from the class consisting of group III-V compounds doped with an element taken from the class consisting of shallow donors and having less than about 1×107 atoms/cc impurities and having less than about 1×1015 parts carbon. The shallow donors are Se, Te and S, preferably Se, with the Se concentration from 5×1015 atoms/cc to 2×106 atoms/cc. The group III-V compound is preferably GaAs or GaP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Paul Klocek
  • Patent number: 6264742
    Abstract: A system and method for processing crystals is disclosed. The system includes a receiver tube for receiving semiconductor granules. The granules are then directed to a chamber defined within an enclosure. The chamber maintains a heated, inert atmosphere with which to melt the semiconductor granules into a molten mass. A nozzle, located at one end of the chamber, creates droplets from the molten mass, which then drop through a long drop tube. As the droplets move through the drop tube, they form spherical shaped semiconductor crystals. The drop tube is heated and the spherical shaped semiconductor crystals may be single crystals. An inductively coupled plasma torch positioned between the nozzle and the drop tube melts the droplets, but leaving a seed in-situ, or the droplets may be melted and a seed injected in-situ. The seed can thereby facilitate crystallization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Ball Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Evangellos Vekris, Nainesh J. Patel, Murali Hanabe
  • Patent number: 6254677
    Abstract: An apparatus for and method of producing a large semiconductor crystal at a low cost are provided. The apparatus for producing a semiconductor crystal includes a reactor (1) having an open end at both ends thereof, that is formed of any material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, and aluminum oxide, or of a composite material including a base material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, silicon nitride, aluminum nitride, boron nitride, aluminum oxide, magnesium oxide, mullite, and carbon as a base, and including an oxidation-proof or airtight film formed on the surface of the base. The apparatus further includes a resistance heater (3) arranged around the reactor (1) in the atmosphere, a flange (9) attached at the open end to seal the reactor (1), and a crucible (2) mounted in the reactor (1) to store material of a semiconductor crystal. The material stored in the crucible (2) is heated and melted to form a material melt (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsushi Hashio, Shin-ichi Sawada, Masami Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 6203610
    Abstract: A device for monitoring a melt for the production of crystals. A camera is provided which images at least portions of the surface of the contents of a crucible. An evaluating device is used to evaluate the camera's images with respect to solid and liquid portions of the surface of the crucible contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Leybold Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Burkhard Altekrüger, Joachim Aufreiter, Dieter Brüss, Klaus Kalkowski
  • Patent number: 6200385
    Abstract: A crucible 40 having an inner surface 42 not wetted by a melt which shrinks when it solidifies is provided with indentations 41 in the walls of the crucible to support an ingot grown in it. Supporting the crystal provides a gap between the bottom of the ingot 44 and the inner surface of the bottom of the crucible. The gap allows more uniform heat transfer from the bottom of the crucible than is provided when there is no gap; the gap provides a controllable temperature gradient between the interior and exterior of the crucible. To direct propagation of the growth of a macrocrystal, the bottom of the crucible is provided with at least one set of multiple grooves in parallel relationship with each other. Preferably a second set of multiple grooves in parallel relationship with each other intersect the grooves of the first set at an angle chosen depending upon the lattice structure of the macrocrystal to be grown. A macrocrystal grown in a crucible with twin sets of angulated grooves produces single crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Carl Francis Swinehart
  • Patent number: 6197108
    Abstract: In a method of manufacturing a silicon monocrystalline ingot using the Czochralski (CZ) method, there is used a seed crystal whose tip end has a sharp-pointed shape or a truncation thereof, and the maximum apex angle is not less than 3° but not greater than 28°. In this case, a monocrystal having an etched tip end portion or a monocrystalline ingot manufactured in accordance with the CZ method and having a tail portion is used as the seed crystal. Further, there may be used a silicon seed crystal having a tapered tip end portion of a conical or pyramidal shape, a straight body portion of a cylindrical columnar or rectangular columnar shape, and an intermediate portion located between the tip end portion and the straight body portion and having a truncated conical or pyramidal shape formed by a curved outer surface. A silicon monocrystalline ingot having a desired diameter is grown through use of such a seed crystal without performance of necking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: Shin-Etsu Handotai, Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiichi Iino, Masanori Kimura
  • Patent number: 6187089
    Abstract: A process for preparing a quartz crucible having a tungsten doped layer on the inside surface, outside surface, or both the inside surface and the outside surface is disclosed. One or more surfaces of the crucible is exposed to a vaporous tungsten source to anneal the tungsten into the crucible surface and create a tungsten doped layer which behaves similarly to a bubble free layer upon use in a crystal pulling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Joseph Phillips, Steven Jack Keltner
  • Patent number: 6183553
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing silicon single crystals with reduced contamination is disclosed. In one embodiment the structural components constructed of graphite and located in the hot zone of the crystal pulling apparatus have two protective layers. The first protective layer is applied directly to the graphite component. The second protective layer is a silicon layer and is applied on top of the first protective layer and covers the first layer. In a second embodiment, the structural components constructed of graphite and located in the hot zone of the crystal pulling apparatus have a single protective layer. The single protective layer is applied directly to the graphite and consists of a mixture of silicon carbide and silicon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: John D. Holder, Steven M. Joslin, Harold W. Korb
  • Patent number: 6171396
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition system includes plural meshed conveyer belts extending in parallel for transferring semiconductor wafers at intervals, a reactant gas injector located over the plural meshed conveyer belts for creating reacting zone over the conveyer belts and a driving mechanism for moving the plural conveyer belts, wherein the driving mechanism moves the conveyer belts at different speeds so as to give rise to a rotation of each semiconductor wafer in the reacting zone, thereby uniformly exposing the entire surface of the semiconductor wafer to the reactant gases, which creates the depositing conditions different in the reacting zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2001
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Keiichiro Tahara
  • Patent number: 6146459
    Abstract: Czochralski pullers are modified to grow perfect monocrystalline silicon ingots that are free of vacancy agglomerates and interstitial agglomerates, by modifying components of the Czochralski puller to produce a temperature gradient at the ingot-melt interface that is greater than about 2.5 degrees Kelvin per millimeter at the ingot axis and is also at least about equal to the temperature gradient at a diffusion length from the cylindrical edge of the ingot. By producing a temperature gradient at the ingot-melt interface that is greater than about 2.5 degrees Kelvin per millimeter at the ingot axis and that is also at least about equal to the temperature gradient at a diffusion length from the diffusion edge, an ingot-melt interface that is planar or is convex relative to the silicon melt may be produced. The ingot so pulled is sliced into a plurality of pure silicon wafers that may include point defects but that are free of vacancy agglomerates and interstitial agglomerates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae-gun Park
  • Patent number: 6143073
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing silica crucibles 9 containing few, if any, white point defects. The white point defects are reduced by decreasing the amount of silica vapor condensing on electrodes 4,5,6 used in the manufacturing process. The silica vapor condensation is decreased by providing a flow of a protective or non-reactive gas or gas mixture through protective devices 11,12,13, over portions of the electrodes where the silica vapor would otherwise condense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Heraeus Shin-Etsu America
    Inventors: Marc A. Christman, Robert O. Mosier
  • Patent number: 6139812
    Abstract: A machine for crystallizing a thermoplastic preform or container is constructed from modular subassemblies and utilizes a preheated plug to provide the sole upright support for a workpiece in the crystallizing process. The first modular subassembly includes the workpiece in-feed and plug preheat structures and incorporates the drive apparatus for the entire machine. The opposed end of the crystallizing machine is constructed of a subassembly which operates to provide the turnaround and tensioning takeup for the carrier mechanism transporting the workpieces. Positioned between the first subassembly and the opposed end subassembly are heating and cooling processing modules which can be provided in any number depending on the size constraints and workpiece quantity restraints desired. The processing modules provide the heating and crystallizing processes for the desired area of the workpiece and the cooling process of the workpiece prior to unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Technology Concepts Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry C. Potter, Peter Hatas, Luguo Zhao
  • Patent number: 6136094
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a single crystal pulling crucible of carbon fiber reinforced carbon composite material formed by the filament windings by combination of axially reinforced layers as well as circumberentially reinforced layers, which combination is given in two or more sets, and to the producing method thereof. The circumferentially reinforced layers resist a force tending to exapand a drum portion of the crucible, and the axially reinforced layers resist a force tending to push down a bottom of the crucible. The axially reinforced layers extending from the bottom portion to the drum portion can be formed by at least either of a level winding of a contact angle of 0.degree. to 10.degree. with respect to the center axis and a poral winding, and the circumferentially reinforced layers in area adjacent to the drum portion out of the drum portion and the bottom portion can be formed by at least either of a parallel winding of a contact angle of 70.degree. to 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Toyo Tanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yamaji, Katsuhide Nagaoka, Toshiharu Hiraoka, Tsuyoshi Matsumoto, Satoshi Ishikawa