Patent ID: 6139811
Filing Date: 2000-10-31
Classification: C30B,Y10T

Abstract:
Apparatus for growing a tubular crystalline body of a selected material by the EFG process, the apparatus comprising:a crucible having a bottom wall, an outer side wall, and an inner side wall defining an interior space for containing a liquid supply of said selected material, and a capillary die formed integral with said outer side wall;said die comprising (a) tip means on the upper end of said outer side wall for use in supporting a liquid/solid growth interface and for controlling the configuration of said crystalline body, said tip means comprising a top end surface and inner and outer exterior surfaces intersecting said top end surface, and (b) transport means in said outer side wall for transporting said selected material in liquid form by capillary action from said crucible to said tip means so that said top end surface is constantly wetted with said melt during the growth of said crystalline body;said inner side wall defining an opening and said bottom wall having a bottom surface and an annular neck portion projecting below the level of said bottom surface; anda susceptor supporting said crucible, said susceptor having an upper surface that is substantially co-extensive with said bottom surface of said bottom wall, said susceptor also having a center hole that is aligned with said opening, said center hole being counterbored at its upper end so as to define a shoulder having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of said hole, said neck portion of said bottom wall extending into said counterbore in confronting relation with said shoulder.