Patent ID: 7678195
Filing Date: 2010-03-16
Classification: C30B

Abstract:
1. A method of securing a single crystal seed to a crucible for use in a crystal growth process, the method comprising: providing a crucible comprising a crucible body defining an open-ended chamber and a removable cap adapted for closing the open end of the chamber; placing an AlN source material within the crucible chamber; subliming the AlN source material within the crucible for a time and at a temperature sufficient to deposit a condensed polycrystalline mass of the AlN source material on an internal surface of the crucible chamber; placing a single crystal seed on a surface of the removable cap facing the interior of the crucible chamber following said subliming step; closing the open end of the crucible chamber with the removable cap carrying the seed; and heating the crucible chamber containing the condensed polycrystalline mass of AlN source material to a temperature sufficient to fuse the seed to the crucible cap.