Method and apparatus for continuous crystal growth

A crystal fabrication system for continuously growing multiple crystal boules utilizing the Czochralski (“CZ”) crystal growth process, comprising:

• a furnace chamber capable of growing a plurality of crystal boules in a single thermal cycle thereof, including:
• a crucible assembly retaining a heated crystal melt therein, and
• a crystal growth rod assembly in communication with the crystal melt, capable of forming and drawing a crystal boule from the melt;
• a cooling chamber directly coupled to the furnace chamber, capable of receiving and storing a plurality of crystal boules from the furnace chamber during a single thermal cycle of the furnace chamber, the cooling chamber including a cooling temperature regulation system;
• a boule transfer mechanism for transferring boules from the furnace chamber to the cooling chamber without the need to cool the furnace chamber prior to transfer;
• and
• a crystal aggregate supply coupled to the crucible assembly, enabling the crucible assembly to replenish heated crystal melt therein.

A method for continuously growing multiple crystal boules utilizing the Czochralski (“CZ”) crystal growth process, comprising:

• growing a plurality of crystal boules in a furnace chamber during a single thermal cycle thereof, the chamber including:
• a crucible assembly retaining a heated crystal melt therein, and
• a crystal growth rod assembly in communication with the crystal melt, capable of forming and drawing a crystal bottle from the melt;
• providing a cooling chamber directly coupled to the furnace chamber, capable of receiving and storing a plurality of crystal boules from the furnace chamber during a single thermal cycle of the furnace chamber;
• transferring grown boules from the furnace chamber to the cooling chamber with a transfer mechanism without the need to cool the furnace chamber prior to transfer;
• and
• enabling the crucible assembly to replenish heated crystal melt therein via a crystal aggregate supply coupled to the crucible assembly.