Saint-gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.

Ralph Lampson MacLean, Jr

John Walter Locher

Steven Anthony Zanella

Herbert Ellsworth Bates

Various single crystals are disclosed including sapphire. The single crystals have desirable geometric properties, including a width not less than about 15 cm and the thickness is not less than about 0.5 cm. The single crystal may also have other features, such as a maximum thickness variation, and as-formed crystals may have a generally symmetrical neck portion, particularly related to the transition from the neck to the main body of the crystal. Methods and for forming such crystals and an apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed as well.

Method of making a sapphire component including machining a sapphire single crystal

Method of forming a single crystal sheet using a die having a thermal gradient along its length

Method of forming a sapphire crystal using a melt fixture including thermal shields having a stepped configuration

Single crystals and methods for fabricating same

Method of forming a sapphire single crystal

Growing community of inventors

Manchester, NH, United States of America

Ralph Lampson MacLean, Jr