Patent ID: 9493888
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: C30B

Claim Text:
1. A method of producing a crystalline material comprising the steps of: i) providing a crucible containing a solid feedstock in a hot zone of a crystal growth apparatus; ii) heating the solid feedstock in the crucible to form a liquid feedstock melt; iii) removing heat from the liquid feedstock melt to form a partially solidified melt; iv) monitoring, during a solidification stage, for solidified crystalline material in the partially solidified melt with an automated vision system positioned above the crucible, wherein when no darker portions are seen by the automated vision system, the automated vision system determines full solidification has occurred; v) fully solidifying the partially solidified melt to form the crystalline material; and vi) ending, by the automated vision system, the heat removal upon detecting full solidification by the automated vision system.