Corner Star Limited

Memc Electronic Materials, Inc.

Sunedison, Inc.

John David Hilker

John D Holder

Steven Lawrence Kimbel

Joseph C Holzer

Tirumani N Swaminathan

Salvador Zepeda

Hariprasad Sreedharamurthy

Benjamin M Meyer

Steve J Ferguson

Methods for growing a reduced dislocation crystal ingot in an ingot growing system are disclosed. The system has a first crucible with a first base and a first sidewall extending upward from the first base to define an outer cavity. The method includes placing a weir in the outer cavity, placing a second crucible on the weir, placing feedstock material into the outer cavity, and melting the feedstock material to allow movement of the melt from the outer cavity inward of an intermediate cavity and into an inner cavity.

Methods for growing a crystal ingot with reduced dislocations from a crucible

A system for growing an ingot from a melt includes a first crucible, a second crucible, and a weir. The first crucible has a first base and a first sidewall that form an outer cavity for containing the melt. The weir is located on top of the first base at a location inward from the first sidewall to inhibit movement of the melt from a location outward of the weir to a location inward of the weir. The second crucible is sized for placement within the outer cavity and has a second base and a second sidewall that form an inner cavity. Related methods are also disclosed.

Czochralski crucible for controlling oxygen and related methods

A system for growing an ingot from a melt includes an outer crucible, an inner crucible, and a weir. The outer crucible includes a first sidewall and a first base. The first sidewall and the first base define an outer cavity for containing the melt. The inner crucible is located within the outer cavity, and has a central longitudinal axis. The inner crucible includes a second sidewall and a second base having an opening therein. The opening in the second base is concentric with the central longitudinal axis. The weir is disposed between the outer crucible and the inner crucible for supporting the inner crucible.

Crystal growing systems and crucibles for enhancing heat transfer to a melt

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.

Systems and methods for measuring and reducing dust in granular material

Growing community of inventors

St. Charles, MO, United States of America

John David Hilker