Single crystal growth susceptor assembly with sacrifice ring

A method of assembling a susceptor for supporting a crucible during a crystal growth process, the method comprising:

• providing a susceptor base formed of a carbon-containing material, the susceptor base having a concave surface extending radially inward from an upper edge, and an annular wall extending from the upper edge to a shoulder, the shoulder extending radially outward from an outer surface of the annular wall opposite the concave surface;
• installing a sacrifice ring onto the susceptor base, the sacrifice ring having a first surface that surrounds the outer surface of the annular wall, a second surface opposite the first surface, a ledge extending outward from the second surface, and a third surface opposite the ledge that overlays the shoulder of the susceptor base;
• and
• connecting a tubular sidewall formed of a carbon-containing material to the susceptor base by inserting the annular wall into a first end of the sidewall such that the first end engages the ledge of the sacrifice ring and the sacrifice ring is interposed between the sidewall and the outer surface of the annular wall and interposed between the sidewall and the shoulder.

An ingot puller for producing single crystal semiconductor ingots, the ingot puller comprising:

• a housing defining a growth chamber;
• a crucible positioned in the growth chamber;
• and
• a susceptor assembly supporting the crucible in the growth chamber, the susceptor assembly comprising:
• a susceptor base formed of a carbon-containing material, the susceptor base having a concave surface extending radially inward from an upper edge, and an annular wall extending from the upper edge to a shoulder, the shoulder extending radially outward from an outer surface of the annular wall opposite the concave surface;
• a tubular sidewall formed of a carbon-containing material, the tubular sidewall being connected at a first end to the susceptor base, the first end of the sidewall receiving the annular wall to connect the sidewall to the susceptor base, an interior surface of the sidewall and the concave surface of the susceptor base defining an interior of the susceptor assembly that receives the crucible therein;
• and
• a removable sacrifice ring interposed between the sidewall and the outer surface of the annular wall and interposed between the sidewall and the shoulder, the sacrifice ring having a first surface that faces the outer surface of the annular wall, a second surface that faces the interior surface of the sidewall, and a ledge extending outward from the second surface that engages the first end of the sidewall.