Patent ID: 7833346

Claim:
A method of growing group III nitride crystals comprising: forming a mixed melt containing at least group III element and a flux formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of alkaline metal and alkaline earth metal, in a reaction vessel; and growing group III nitride crystals from the mixed melt and a substance containing at least nitrogen, wherein after introducing a plurality of seed crystal substrates, placed in an upper part of the reaction vessel in which the mixed melt is formed, into the mixed melt to cause crystal growth, the plurality of seed crystal substrates are drawn out above the mixed melt, wherein a plate-like member is disposed above the part where the seed crystal substrates are placed, the member is formed of a component which will not elute into the melt, and the member covers the melt/gas interface to prevent nitrogen atoms from dissolving in the center of the reaction vessel.