Continuous crystal plate growth process and apparatus
AssigneeOptoscint, Inc.
InventorKiril A. Pandelisev
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Reactive gas is released through a crystal source material or melt to react with impurities and carry the impurities away as gaseous products or as precipitates or in light or heavy form. The gaseous products are removed by vacuum and the heavy products fall to the bottom of the melt. Light products rise to the top of the melt. After purifying, dopants are added to the melt. The melt moves away from the heater and the crystal is formed. Subsequent heating zones re-melt and refine the crystal, and a dopant is added in a final heating zone. The crystal is divided, and divided portions of the crystal are re-heated for heat treating and annealing.
Claims28
A heating apparatus comprising a platform for supporting a formed and cut crystal and sides for enclosing sides of the crystal, a lid positioned over the platform such that the platform, lid and sides apply inward force to press the crystal inward, and at least one heater for heating the crystal while the crystal is under pressure from the platform lid and sides for annealing the crystal.
A heating apparatus comprising a platform for supporting crystals and sides for enclosing sides of the crystals, a lid positioned over the platform such that the platform, lid and sides apply inward force to press the crystals inward, and at least one heater for heating the crystals while the crystals are under pressure from the platform lid and sides for annealing the crystals.
A heating process, comprising providing a platform for supporting a formed and cut crystal, providing sides for enclosing sides of the crystal, providing a lid positioned over the platform, applying inward force to press the crystal inward with the platform, lid and sides, providing at least one heater, heating the crystal while the crystal is under pressure from the platform, lid and sides, and annealing the crystal.
A crystal heating process, comprising providing a platform for supporting crystals and providing sides for enclosing sides of the crystals, providing a lid positioned over the platform, applying inward force with the platform, lid and sides for pressing the crystals inward, providing at least one heater, heating the crystals while the crystals are under pressure from the platform lid and sides, and annealing the crystals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.