Method of adjusting insulation in a directional solidification furnace
AssigneeMemc Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Uen200614794D)
InventorsRituraj Nandan, Benjamin Michael Meyer, Lee William Ferry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods are disclosed for inhibiting heat transfer through lateral sidewalls of a support member positioned beneath a crucible in a directional solidification furnace. The methods include the use of insulation positioned adjacent the lateral sidewalls of the support member. The insulation inhibits heat transfer through the lateral sidewalls of the support member to ensure the one-dimensional transfer of heat from the melt through the support member.
Claims19
A method of adjusting the position of insulation in a directional solidification furnace, the furnace including a crucible for holding molten silicon, a crucible support for supporting the crucible, the crucible support having a bottom plate, a support member having an upper surface in contact with the bottom plate of the crucible support, the support member having lateral sidewalls, the method comprising:
- positioning the insulation in a melt position during melting of the silicon in the crucible, wherein the insulation is disposed away from the lateral sidewalls of the support member when in the melt position;
- and
- positioning the insulation in a solidification position during solidification of molten silicon in the crucible, wherein the insulation is adjacent the lateral sidewalls of the support member when in the solidification position.
A method of inhibiting differential heat transfer in a melt plane of a directional solidification furnace, the method comprising in order:
- providing the directional solidification furnace including a crucible for holding molten silicon, a crucible support for supporting the crucible, the crucible support having a bottom plate, a support member having an upper surface in contact with the bottom plate of the crucible support, the support member having lateral sidewalls;
- positioning the insulation in a melt position during melting of the silicon in the crucible, wherein the insulation is disposed away from the lateral sidewalls of the support member when in the melt position;
- and
- positioning the insulation in a solidification position during solidification of molten silicon in the crucible, wherein the insulation is adjacent the lateral sidewalls of the support member when in the solidification position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.