Patent ID: 6273947
Filing Date: 2001-08-14
Classification: C30B

Abstract:
A method of preparing a compound semiconductor crystal having a dopant carbon content, said method comprising the following steps:a) selecting a partial pressure of a carbon oxide gas dependent on said dopant carbon content in said compound semiconductor crystal;b) sealing said carbon oxide gas having said partial pressure, and a semiconductor raw material, in a gas-impermeable airtight vessel;c) after said step b), increasing a temperature of said airtight vessel to melt said semiconductor raw material in said airtight vessel and thereby form a melted material from said semiconductor raw material, wherein said melted material occupies a melt volume that is bounded along one plane by a melt interface of said melted material in said airtight vessel, said melt volume is located on a first side of said plane extending along said melt interface in said airtight vessel, said carbon oxide gas occupies a first gas-filled volume within said airtight vessel on said first side of said plane and a second gas-filled volume within said airtight vessel on a second side of said plane opposite said first side, and said second gas-filled volume is larger than said first gas-filled volume; andd) after said step c), decreasing said temperature of said airtight vessel to solidify said melted material and thereby grow said compound semiconductor crystal to have said dopant carbon content dependent on said partial pressure of said carbon oxide gas.