Gtat Corporation

Dave Lackey

Carl Chartier

Bhuvaragasamy G Ravi

Chandra P Khattak

Andriy M Andrukhiv

Parthasarathy Santhanaraghavan

Dean C Skelton

Parthasarathy S Raghavan

A method for preventing molten material breach in a crystal growth apparatus includes providing a chamber of the crystal growth apparatus which is coated with a ceramic material. The chamber can be coated on an interior surface to prevent damage to the chamber itself, which is made of steel, and to prevent steam explosions in the water-cooled chamber. Ceramic blanket layers also can be provided over the coated interior surface of the chamber. As a result, it is possible to produce high quality crystalline products while minimizing the hazards and costs in the event of a spill of molten material.

Crystal growth apparatus with ceramic coating and methods for preventing molten material breach in a crystal growth apparatus

Systems and methods are provided to promote uniform thermal environment to feedstock material (e.g., silicon) in a crucible of a crystal growth apparatus are provided herein. More specifically, a heating system may be arranged in the crystal growth apparatus so as to include at least a first and second heating element which are configured to distribute heat axisymmetrically to the feedstock material and the second heating element that is configured to distribute heat symmetrically to the feedstock material to thereby provide uniform heat distribution to the feedstock material in the crucible to allow for increased consistency in crystal ingot quality.

Heater assembly for crystal growth apparatus

Growing community of inventors

Merrimack, NH, United States of America

Dave Lackey