Patent ID: 6159282
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: C30B

Abstract:
A method of pulling a single crystal, comprising:dipping a seed crystal into a melt within a crucible;pulling the dipped seed crystal at a controlled rate so as to control a size of a diameter of the single crystal;forming a neck of the single crystal under the dipped seed crystal by rotating the dipped seed crystal as the dipped seed crystal is pulled;gradually increasing the diameter of the single crystal after said forming of the neck so as to form an enlarged portion of the single crystal having a gradually increasing diameter;gradually reducing the diameter of the single crystal after said gradual increasing of the diameter so as to form a reduced portion of the single crystal having a gradually decreasing diameter; andmeasuring the diameter of the single crystal at the interface between the melt and the single crystal by using an optical measuring device arranged above the crucible, wherein the optical measuring device is arranged above the crucible such that the optical axis and a horizontal plane form an angle .theta..sub.m ;wherein said gradually reducing the diameter of the single crystal comprises measuring the diameter of the reduced portion at all times using the optical measuring device, and comprises reducing the diameter such that a straight line along a surface of the reduced portion and a horizontal plane form an angle .theta..sub.s, whereby .theta..sub.s is greater than .theta..sub.m.