Patent ID: 7141114
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: C30B,H01L,Y02E,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A directional solidification process, comprising: providing a mold suitable for melting and cooling polysilicon using a directional solidification process; loading at least two rod polysilicon sections into the mold, wherein at least two rod polysilicon sections are in contact with one another; loading at least one of chunk polysilicon, chip polysilicon or granular polysilicon into the mold; heating the mold until the at least two rod polysilicon sections and at least one of chunk polysilicon, chip polysilicon or granular polysilicon melt to form a molten silicon mass; and cooling the molten mass by the directional solidification process to cause the molten silicon mass to crystallize and form a polycrystalline silicon ingot within the mold.