Method and apparatus for growing multiple crystalline ribbons from a single crucible
AssigneeEvergreen Solar, Inc.
InventorRichard Lee Wallace, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for concurrent growth of multiple crystalline ribbons from a single crucible employ meniscus shapers to facilitate continuous growth of discrete and substantially flat crystalline ribbons having controlled width.
Claims44
A method for forming multiple semiconductor ribbons in a crucible, comprising:
- disposing multiple meniscus shapers in the crucible;
- forming a melt from a semiconductor material in the crucible, the multiple meniscus shapers forming a plurality of melt subregions therein;
- arranging multiple pairs of strings relative to the multiple meniscus shapers, each pair of strings emerging from one of the melt subregions;
- and
- pulling the multiple pairs of strings away from a surface of the melt to form the multiple semiconductor ribbons, each pair of strings defining the width of the respective semiconductor ribbon.
An apparatus for growing multiple semiconductor ribbons in a crucible, comprising:
- a crucible for holding a melt of a semiconductor material;
- multiple meniscus shapers disposed in the crucible to separate the melt into a plurality of melt subregions,
- multiple pairs of strings arranged relative to the multiple meniscus shapers, each pair of strings emerging from one of the distinct melt subregions to define the width of the respective semiconductor ribbon, the multiple pairs of strings pulled away from the melt surface to form the multiple semiconductor ribbons.
An apparatus for minimizing interference between adjacent ribbons in a multiple semiconductor ribbon growth system, comprising:
- a crucible for holding a melt of a semiconductor material;
- a plurality of meniscus shapers disposed in the crucible to separate the melt into a plurality of melt subregions, each melt subregion including a melt surface defined by a respective meniscus shaper;
- and
- multiple pairs of strings for growing multiple semiconductor ribbons from a respective melt subregion by pulling each pair of strings away from the melt surface.
A method for forming a semiconductor ribbon in a crucible, comprising:
- disposing a meniscus shaper in the crucible;
- forming a melt from a semiconductor material in the crucible, the meniscus shaper forming a melt subregion therein from which the semiconductor ribbon is to be formed, the meniscus shaper determining the vertical position of attachment between the melt and the semiconductor ribbon;
- arranging a pair of strings relative to the meniscus shaper, the pair of strings emerging from the melt subregion;
- and
- pulling the pair of strings away from a surface of the melt to form the semiconductor ribbon, the pair of strings defining the width of the semiconductor ribbon.
An apparatus for growing a semiconductor ribbon in a crucible, comprising:
- a crucible for holding a melt of a semiconductor material;
- a meniscus shaper disposed in the crucible to form a melt subregion therein from which the semiconductor ribbon is to be formed, the meniscus shaper determining the vertical position of attachment between the melt and the semiconductor ribbon;
- and
- a pairs of strings arranged relative to the meniscus shaper, the pair of strings emerging from the melt subregion to define the width of the semiconductor ribbon being grown.
An apparatus for forming multiple semiconductor ribbons concurrently in a single crucible, comprising:
- means for holding a melt of a semiconductor material;
- means for shaping the melt into a plurality of distinct melt subregions, the means determining in each distinct melt subregion the vertical position of attachment between the melt and each semiconductor ribbon to be formed;
- and
- means for pulling multiple semiconductor ribbons from the melt.
An apparatus for minimizing interference between adjacent ribbons in a multiple semiconductor ribbon growth system, comprising:
- means for holding a melt of a semiconductor material;
- means for partitioning the melt into a plurality of melt subregions;
- and
- means for pulling multiple semiconductor ribbons, each from a respective melt subregion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.