Graphite crucible for electromagnetic induction melting silicon and apparatus for silicon melting and refining using the graphite crucible

An apparatus for melting and refining silicon with a graphite crucible for electromagnetic induction-based silicon melting, the apparatus comprising:

• a cylindrical crucible formed of a graphite material, and having an open upper part, a plurality of first slits vertically formed through an outer wall and an inner wall of the crucible, and a plurality of second slits vertically formed from an edge of a disc-shaped bottom of the crucible toward a center of the bottom, wherein the center of the bottom is solid and is integral with a portion of the bottom contacting the inner wall;
• and
• an induction coil surrounding the outer wall of the crucible,
• wherein a silicon raw material charged into the crucible through the open upper part of the crucible is indirectly melted to form a silicon melt, and the silicon melt is subjected to induction melting without contacting the inner wall and an inner bottom surface of the crucible,
• wherein at least one second slit of the plurality of second slits is disconnected from each first slit of the plurality of first slits, and at least one second slit of the plurality of second slits is connected to at least one first slit of the plurality of first slits, and
• wherein each second slit of the plurality of second slits are disconnected from each other second slit of the plurality of second slits for preventing eddy current from concentrating on the center of the bottom and for preventing rapid temperature increase on the center of the bottom.