Patent ID: 6537372
Filing Date: 2003-03-25
Classification: C30B,Y10T

Abstract:
A crystal growth furnace having multiple crystal growing stations comprising:a crucible at each growth station adapted to grow crystals therein; insulation on each crucible to insulate it thermally from another growth station; a power source; a first heater matrix having at least one matrix leg, each matrix leg including at least two resistance heaters, each of the heaters having a first end and a second end, the first end of one of the heaters electrically connected to the power source, and said one of said resistance heaters electrically connected to the other resistance heater in series so that electrical interconnections between said two resistance heaters in the first heater matrix are adapted to transmit power simultaneously, at any given time, to all the resistance heaters in the first heater matrix; each crucible in each growth station having at least one of the resistance heaters associated therewith so that each crucible is heated by a resistance heater; and the power source being adapted for powering said two resistance heaters simultaneously, at any given time, whereby the crystal growth furnace is adapted to grow crystals uniformly and simultaneously at each growing station.