Patent ID: 6378835
Filing Date: 2002-04-30
Classification: C30B,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for producing a silicon ingot having a directional solidification structure, the apparatus comprising an underfloor heater, a chill plate mounted on the underfloor heater, a crucible mounted on the chill plate, an overhead heater provided over the crucible, an overhead heat insulator provided over the crucible, an underfloor heat insulator mounted under the underfloor heater and chill plate, and a heat insulator surrounding a circumference of the crucible, wherein the heat insulator surrounding the circumference of the crucible is thicker than the overhead heat insulator and the underfloor heat insulator and an inert gas feed connected to a space in the apparatus containing the crucible, wherein an inert gas is directed toward the surface of a molten silicon in the crucible through the inert gas feed device.