Integrated crucible and die system for sapphire sheet growing
AssigneeSapphire Systems Inc.
InventorsJohn Outwater, Bradford Shattuck Collins
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An integrated die and crucible system used an integrated die and crucible assembly that allows for improved sapphire sheet growing as result of targeted heat features and controls of the integrated die and crucible system and corresponding systems used to form the integrated die and crucible assembly, which include in part heat plugs, as well specific wall thicknesses about the die and crucibles.
Claims19
An integrated crucible and die system for creating a single-crystal sapphire sheet, comprising:
- a body portion having a channel across the length of the body portion and a crystal shaper disposed about a portion of the channel and extending from the body portion;
- a first crucible disposed on a first end of the body portion, wherein the channel extends into the first crucible;
- and
- a second crucible disposed on a second end of the body portion, wherein the channel extends into the second crucible,
- wherein the first crucible, the second crucible and the body portion form an integrated system, and
- wherein each crucible is in fluid communication with the channel and crystal shaper.
A system for creating a single-crystal sapphire sheet, comprising:
- an integrated crucible and die comprising:
- a body portion having a channel across the length of the body portion and a crystal shaper disposed about a portion of the channel and extending from the body portion;
- a first crucible disposed on a first end of the body portion, wherein the channel extends into the first crucible, and
- a second crucible disposed on a second end of the body portion, wherein the channel extends into the second crucible,
- wherein the first crucible, the second crucible and the body portion form an integrated system, and
- wherein each crucible is in fluid communication with the channel and crystal shaper;
- and
- a heater having an interior cavity disposed about the integrated crucible and die, wherein the interior cavity has a shape that corresponds in shape to the perimeter of the integrated crucible and die.
A method for producing a single-crystal sapphire comprising the steps of:
- feeding Alumina pellets through first and second angled feeding tubes to a first crucible and a second crucible, wherein the first crucible and second crucible have an integrated die disposed between each crucible, and wherein the integrated die includes a channel that is in fluid communication with both crucibles;
- melting the Alumina pellets at a first heat output using a heater disposed about the first crucible, second crucible and integrated die;
- feeding melted Alumina from each crucible into the integrated die through the channel;
- heating the integrated die with a second heat output using the heater disposed about the first crucible, second crucible and integrated die;
- depositing a seed for A or C-plane growth into a center portion of the integrated die;
- drawing out the seed using a seed holder while continuing to melt Alumina into each crucible and feeding the melted Alumina into the channel of the integrated die where it can begin to form a single-crystal sapphire.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.