U.S. patent application number 14/227006 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-19 for apparatus for controlling heat flow within a silicon melt.
This patent application is currently assigned to VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC.. Invention is credited to Frederick M. Carlson, Nandish Desai, Peter L. Kellerman, Ala Moradian, David Morrell.
Application Number | 20190284715 14/227006 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54196233 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-19 |
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00006.png)
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00007.png)
![](/patent/app/20190284715/US20190284715A1-20190919-D00008.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20190284715 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kellerman; Peter L. ; et
al. |
September 19, 2019 |
APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING HEAT FLOW WITHIN A SILICON MELT
Abstract
An apparatus for controlling heat flow within a melt. The
apparatus may include a crucible configured to contain the melt
where the melt has an exposed surface. The apparatus may also
include a heater disposed below a first side of the crucible and
configured to supply heat through the melt to the exposed surface,
and a heat diffusion barrier assembly comprising at least one heat
diffusion barrier disposed within the crucible and defining an
isolation region in the melt and an outer region in the melt.
Inventors: |
Kellerman; Peter L.; (Essex,
MA) ; Carlson; Frederick M.; (Potsdam, NY) ;
Morrell; David; (Wakefield, MA) ; Moradian; Ala;
(Beverly, MA) ; Desai; Nandish; (Waltham,
MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATES, INC. |
GLOUCESTER |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
VARIAN SEMICONDUCTOR EQUIPMENT
ASSOCIATES, INC.
GLOUCESTER
MA
|
Family ID: |
54196233 |
Appl. No.: |
14/227006 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C30B 15/24 20130101;
C30B 15/14 20130101; C30B 29/06 20130101; C30B 15/06 20130101; Y10T
117/1068 20150115; C30B 15/34 20130101; C30B 15/22 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C30B 15/14 20060101
C30B015/14; C30B 15/34 20060101 C30B015/34; C30B 29/06 20060101
C30B029/06 |
Goverment Interests
STATEMENT AS TO FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] The U.S. Government has a paid-up license in this invention
and the right in limited circumstances to require the patent owner
to license others on reasonable terms as provided for by the terms
of contract number DE-EE0000595 awarded by the U.S. Department of
Energy.
Claims
1. An apparatus for controlling heat flow within a melt,
comprising: a crucible configured to contain the melt, the melt
having an exposed surface; a heater disposed below a first side of
the crucible and configured to supply heat through the melt to the
exposed surface; a heat diffusion barrier assembly comprising at
least one heat diffusion barrier disposed within the crucible and
defining an isolation region in the melt and an outer region in the
melt, wherein the heat diffusion barrier assembly is disposed below
the exposed surface, and wherein the heater is disposed to generate
in the isolation region a first heat flow density at the exposed
surface, and is arranged to generate in the outer region a second
heat flow density at the exposed surface, less than the first heat
flow density, wherein the heat diffusion barrier assembly comprises
a first heat diffusion barrier and second heat diffusion barrier
that are angled, wherein the isolation region is wider toward a
bottom of the crucible, wherein top portions of the first and
second heat diffusion barriers are free and unattached to other
structures such that the melt is disposed between the first heat
diffusion barrier and the second heat diffusion barrier at a top
portion of the diffusion barrier assembly; and a crystal puller,
disposed above the melt and movable along a direction parallel to
the exposed surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one heat
diffusion barrier is composed of fused silica.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the melt is composed of
silicon, and wherein a first portion of the heat that flows through
the isolation region to the exposed surface has a first heat flow
density that is greater than a second heat flow density for a
second portion of the heat that flows from the isolation region
through the at least one heat diffusion barrier to the outer
region.
4. (canceled)
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a first wall of the heat
diffusion barrier assembly and second wall of the heat diffusion
barrier assembly are parallel to one another and arranged along a
perpendicular to the exposed surface.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the heater is arranged to
generate uniform heat flow towards the exposed surface across the
isolation region.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a crucible holder
disposed between the heater and crucible and having at least one
insulator spacer arranged to generate at least two heating zones
that provide heat to the melt.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the crucible holder is a heat
intensifier.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heater is configured to
generate heat flow into the isolation region across a heater width
greater than the isolation region width, wherein the heat flow at
the surface region is uniform across the isolation region between
the first heat diffusion barrier and second heat diffusion
barrier.
10. (canceled)
11. A method to process a melt comprising providing the melt in a
crucible, the melt having an exposed surface; providing heat
through the melt to the exposed surface by heating a first side of
the crucible opposite the exposed surface; and providing within the
crucible a heat diffusion barrier assembly comprising at least one
heat diffusion barrier that defines an isolation region in the melt
and an outer region in the melt, wherein a first portion of the
heat flows through the isolation region to the exposed surface and
has a first heat flow density that is greater than a second heat
flow density for a second portion of the heat that flows from the
isolation region through the at least one heat diffusion barrier to
the outer region.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising providing the heat
diffusion barrier assembly as a first heat diffusion barrier and
second heat diffusion barrier that are angled wherein the isolation
region is narrower toward the exposed surface.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein a first wall of the heat
diffusion barrier assembly and second wall of the heat diffusion
barrier assembly are parallel to one another and arranged along a
perpendicular to the exposed surface.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the melt is a silicon melt, and
wherein at a top portion of the isolation region a heat flow is 30
W/cm.sup.2 to 40 W/cm.sup.2.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising arranging a heater
to generate uniform heat flow towards the exposed surface across
the isolation region.
16. An apparatus for processing a melt, comprising: a heater
disposed below a crucible that contains the melt, the heater being
configured to supply heat through the melt to an exposed surface of
the melt; a heat diffusion barrier assembly comprising a first heat
diffusion barrier and a second heat diffusion barrier that are
disposed within the crucible and define an isolation region in the
melt and an outer region in the melt, wherein the heat diffusion
barrier assembly is disposed below the exposed surface, wherein the
first heat diffusion barrier and second heat diffusion barrier are
angled, wherein the isolation region is wider-toward a bottom of
the crucible, wherein top portions of the first and second heat
diffusion barriers are free and unattached to other structures such
that the melt is disposed between the first heat diffusion barrier
and the second heat diffusion barrier at a top portion of the
diffusion barrier assembly, and wherein the heater is disposed to
generate in the isolation region a first heat flow density at the
exposed surface, and is arranged to generate in the outer region a
second heat flow density at the exposed surface, less than the
first heat flow density, wherein the first heat flow density is
greater than a third heat flow density that flows from the
isolation region through the at least one heat diffusion barrier to
the outer region; and a crystal puller, disposed above the melt and
movable along a direction parallel to the exposed surface.
17. (canceled)
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the crucible and heat
diffusion barrier assembly are composed of fused silica.
19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein a first wall of the heat
diffusion barrier assembly and second wall of the heat diffusion
barrier assembly are parallel to one another and arranged along a
perpendicular to the exposed surface.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the heater is arranged to
generate uniform heat flow towards the exposed surface across the
isolation region.
Description
FIELD
[0002] The present embodiments relate to growth of crystalline
material from a melt and more particularly to forming a single
crystalline sheet from a melt.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Silicon wafers or sheets may be used in, for example, the
integrated circuit or solar cell industry. Demand for solar cells
continues to increase as the demand for renewable energy sources
increases. One major cost in the solar cell industry is the wafer
or sheet used to make solar cells. Reductions in cost to the wafers
or sheets may reduce the cost of solar cells and make this
renewable energy technology more prevalent. One promising method
that has been investigated to lower the cost of materials for solar
cells is the horizontal ribbon growth (HRG) technique where
crystalline sheets are pulled horizontally along the surface of a
melt. In this method, a portion of a melt surface is cooled
sufficiently to locally initiate crystallization with the aid of a
seed, which may be then drawn along the melt surface to form a
crystalline sheet. The local cooling may be accomplished by
providing a device that rapidly removes heat above the region of
the melt surface where crystallization is initiated. Under proper
conditions a stable leading edge of the crystalline sheet may be
established in this region.
[0004] In order to ensure growth stability, it may be useful to
provide sufficient heat flow through the melt directly under the
leading edge of the crystalline sheet. It may also be desired to
reduce the thickness of the crystalline sheet such as below 200 um,
which also requires uniform heat flow under the already-formed
portions of the crystalline sheet. However, achieving controlled
heat flow within a silicon melt is very challenging for several
reasons. Firstly, molten Si has a very high thermal conductivity,
so that any heat introduced at the bottom of a crucible that
contains the melt spreads out before reaching the melt surface. In
addition, the crucible material used to contain silicon melt is
fused silica, due to its resistance to reaction with silicon at
elevated temperature. However, fused silica is a good thermal
insulator such that a large thermal gradient is required to conduct
substantial heat to the silicon melt. In turn, this requires that
the outer temperature of the fused silica crucible being heated is
maintained at a much higher temperature than the melt temperature.
However, fused silica softens to an unacceptable degree above 1880
K, which limits the amount of heat flow that can be introduced into
the melt. Accordingly present day apparatus may not provide
sufficient heat flow to ensure stable growth of a crystalline
sheet.
[0005] It is with respect to these and other considerations that
the present improvements have been needed.
SUMMARY
[0006] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended as an aid in determining the scope of the
claimed subject matter. In one embodiment, an apparatus for
controlling heat flow within a melt is provided. The apparatus may
include a crucible configured to contain the melt where the melt
has an exposed surface. The apparatus may also include a heater
disposed below a first side of the crucible and configured to
supply heat through the melt to the exposed surface, and a heat
diffusion barrier assembly comprising at least one heat diffusion
barrier disposed within the crucible and defining an isolation
region in the melt and an outer region in the melt.
[0007] In another embodiment, a method to process a melt includes
providing the melt in a crucible, the melt having an exposed
surface, providing heat through the melt to the exposed surface by
heating a first side of the crucible opposite the exposed surface,
and providing within the crucible a heat diffusion barrier assembly
comprising at least one heat diffusion barrier that defines an
isolation region in the melt and an outer region in the melt,
wherein a first portion of the heat flows through the isolation
region to the exposed surface and has a first heat flow density
that is greater than a second heat flow density for a second
portion of the heat that flows from the isolation region through
the at least one heat diffusion barrier to the outer region.
[0008] In a further embodiment, an apparatus for processing a melt
may include a heater disposed below a crucible and that contains
the melt, where the heater is configured to supply heat through the
melt to an exposed surface of the melt. The apparatus may further
include a heat diffusion barrier assembly comprising a first heat
diffusion barrier and a second heat diffusion barrier that are
disposed within the crucible and define an isolation region in the
melt and an outer region in the melt, wherein a first portion of
the heat that flows through the isolation region to the exposed
surface has a first heat flow density that is greater than a second
heat flow density for a second portion of the heat that flows from
the isolation region through the at least one heat diffusion
barrier to the outer region.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1A depicts a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for
processing a melt consistent with the present embodiments;
[0010] FIG. 1B depicts details of alternative embodiments of heat
diffusion barriers;
[0011] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of an apparatus for
processing a melt according to further embodiments;
[0012] FIG. 3A shows an end cross-sectional view of an apparatus
during operation according to further embodiments of the
disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 3B shows a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus
of FIG. 3A;
[0014] FIG. 3C depicts an apparatus arranged according to
additional embodiments of the disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 4 presents a composite drawing that includes simulation
of heat flow at an exposed surface of a melt under three different
geometries;
[0016] FIG. 5A depicts one embodiment of an apparatus in which a
heat flow barrier assembly is arranged to increase heat flow
density as heat travels through a melt;
[0017] FIG. 5B depicts one instance of operation of the apparatus
of FIG. 5A;
[0018] FIG. 5C depicts a further instance of operation of the
apparatus of FIG. 5A;
[0019] FIG. 6 depicts exemplary heat flow density curves for
various scenarios;
[0020] FIG. 7 depicts exemplary heat flow density curves for
various additional scenarios; and
[0021] FIG. 8 depicts one example of operation of an according to
further embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The present embodiments provide apparatus to control heat
flow within a melt such as a silicon melt. Various embodiments
advantageously provide uniform heat flow or concentrated heat flow
within a melt that facilitates control of horizontal growth of a
continuous crystalline sheet of semiconductor material such as
silicon. Various embodiments advantageously control heat flow
within melts by providing heat diffusion barriers that contain heat
flow so as to direct heat flow in the melt, which may overcome the
aforementioned problems associated with melt growth.
[0023] Various embodiments provide an apparatus for processing a
melt that includes a crucible configured to contain the melt, where
the melt has an exposed surface. In embodiments for processing
silicon melts, the crucible may be composed of fused silica. As
with conventional apparatus, a heater may be disposed below a first
side of the crucible that is opposite the exposed surface in order
to supply heat that moves through the melt to the exposed surface
where processing of a crystalline sheet may take place. Unlike
conventional apparatus, a heat diffusion barrier assembly is
provided that includes at least one heat diffusion barrier disposed
within the crucible. The heat diffusion barrier assembly may define
an isolation region within the melt as well as an outer region in
the melt that lies outside of the isolation region. In this manner,
a first portion of heat provided by a heater that flows through the
isolation region to the exposed surface may have a first heat flow
density that is greater than a second heat flow density for a
second portion of the heat that flows from the isolation region
through the at least one heat diffusion barrier to the outer
region. This feature serves to contain or restrict heat flow so
that the heat flow at the surface is tailored in a manner not
provided by conventional melt apparatus.
[0024] FIG. 1A depicts a cross-sectional view of an apparatus 100
for processing a melt consistent with the present embodiments. The
apparatus 100 includes a heater 102 and a crucible 104 that
contains a melt 106. In this embodiment and other embodiments, the
heater 102 is disposed adjacent or under a first side 105 of the
crucible that is opposite an exposed surface 107 of the melt 106.
Because the melt 106 is by definition in a liquid state, the first
side 105 of the crucible may represent a bottom of the crucible
104, and crucible 104 may further include a sidewall 112. Thus, the
sidewall 112 and first side 105 act to contain the melt 106. In
operation, the apparatus 100 may be used in conjunction with other
components (not shown) to draw a crystalline sheet from the melt
106 as detailed below. In addition to sidewall 112, a heat
diffusion barrier assembly 108 is provided within the melt 106,
which may be affixed to the crucible 104 in a surface region
109.
[0025] In the example of FIG. 1A, the heat diffusion barrier
assembly 108 includes a first heat diffusion barrier 110 and second
heat diffusion barrier 111, which are disposed opposite one another
as shown. In various embodiments, the crucible 104 as well as first
heat diffusion barrier 110 and second heat diffusion barrier 111
are composed of fused silica, which is particularly suited for use
with a silicon melt. The heat diffusion barrier assembly 108 may be
mechanically affixed to the crucible 104 or may be integrally
formed as part of the crucible 104. In various embodiments the heat
diffusion barrier assembly 108 has low thermal conductivity such
that the thermal conductivity is less than 0.1 W/cm-K. This
provides a thermal conductivity that is much lower than molten
silicon, whose thermal conductivity at 1685 K has been determined
to be in the range of 0.6 W/cm-K. For example, thermal conductivity
of fused silica in the temperature range of the melting temperature
of silicon has been determined to be in the range of 0.05 W/cm-K,
which range is more than an order of magnitude lower than thermal
conductivity of a silicon melt. This feature of low thermal
conductivity is advantageously exploited in the embodiments
detailed below to restrict heat flow of heat provided to a melt
such as the melt 106. Other suitable examples for use as heat
diffusion barriers include a structure that is composed of an inner
portion and an outer shell that comes into contact with molten
silicon, where the outer shell is composed of fused silica. In this
manner, the outer portion presents a material that is non-reactive
with molten silicon. FIG. 1B depicts details of alternative
embodiments of heat diffusion barriers. In one example, a heat
diffusion barrier 120 may be a solid structure composed entirely of
a single material such as fused silica. In another example, a heat
diffusion barrier 130 may have a shell 132 that is composed of a
material such as fused silica, which is compatible for use in a
silicon melt because of the resistance of fused silica to reaction
with silicon. In addition, the heat diffusion barrier 130 may
include an inner portion 134 that is constructed to impart a lower
overall thermal conductivity to the heat diffusion barrier. This
example of heat diffusion barrier 130, the shell 132 if composed of
fused silica may completely surround the an inner portion 134,
which may have a low thermal conductivity that is even less than
that of fused silica, such that the thermal conductivity of the
heat diffusion barrier is less than 0.05 W/cm-K. For example, the
inner portion 134 may include a gas medium or other medium that has
low thermal conductivity. In one example, the inner portion 134 may
include a silica areogel or other structure that has a very low
thermal conductivity. The overall thermal conductivity of such a
heat diffusion barrier 130 may be 0.02 W/cm-K in some instances, or
lower. Because the inner portion 134 may be sealed by a fused
silica shell, the inner portion 134 may be composed of a low
thermal conductivity material that might otherwise react with
molten silicon, such as a zirconia fabric. The embodiments are not
limited in this context.
[0026] FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of an apparatus 200
for processing a melt according to further embodiments. This
embodiment shares the same components as the apparatus 100, except
as noted below. In particular, a crucible holder 202 is provided,
which may act also as a heat intensifier. In some embodiments, the
crucible holder contains at least one insulator spacer, such as the
example of FIG. 2, where the crucible holder 202 is provided with
insulator spacers 204 which may be aligned with the first heat
diffusion barrier 110 and second heat diffusion barrier 111 in some
instances. The crucible holder may be composed of silicon carbide
in some embodiments and may confine heat generated by the heater
102 to flow towards the melt 106. For example heat that is
generated by the heater 102 may flow upwardly along the direction
parallel to the Y-axis of the Cartesian coordinate system shown,
and may be confined to a region between the first heat diffusion
barrier 110 and second heat diffusion barrier 111. Accordingly a
majority of the heat flow generated from the heater 102 may flow
outwardly from the exposed surface 206 of melt 106 in a region
above the heat diffusion barrier assembly 108. As detailed below,
in some embodiments by appropriate design of the heat diffusion
barrier assembly 108, the heat flow may be concentrated at the
exposed surface 206. For example, a heat flow of 40 W/cm.sup.2 may
be realized at the exposed surface 206. In other embodiments, the
heat flow may be made uniform at the exposed surface 206.
[0027] As further shown in FIG. 2 the apparatus 200 includes a
crystallizer 208, which may act as a heat sink to aid in the rapid
removal of heat that flows from the exposed surface 206. When heat
flows to the exposed surface 206, in order to crystallize a sheet,
the heat may be removed locally at a rapid rate, such that heat
flow from the exposed surface 206 is greater than heat flow to the
exposed surface 206. For example the crystallizer 208 may remove
heat by providing a cold block to act as a heat sink or may provide
a gas to the exposed surface 206 to remove heat. The embodiments
are not limited in this context. This rapid removal of heat may
result in the formation of a crystallization region in which the
material of melt 106 solidifies, allowing a crystalline sheet to be
drawn from the melt using a horizontal ribbon growth technique as
discussed below. Various embodiments facilitate this process by
providing a heat diffusion barrier assembly that concentrates heat
flow to the surface 206 sufficiently to stabilize a growing
crystalline sheet. In other embodiments, in which heat flow is
directed by the heat diffusion barrier assembly 108 to the exposed
surface 206 in a uniform manner, this uniform heat flow may be
employed to treat an already-formed crystalline sheet, for
example.
[0028] It is to be noted that in different embodiments a heat
diffusion assembly may be provided in different orientations within
a crucible. In the convention used herein, the direction of pulling
of a crystalline sheet may lie parallel to the Z-axis. As indicated
in FIGS. 1A and 2 the view of apparatus 100 or apparatus 200 may be
deemed to lie in the Y-Z plane (side view) or alternatively in the
X-Z plane (end view), where the Z-axis lies parallel to a pulling
direction of a crystalline sheet. Moreover, the orientation of
first heat diffusion barrier 110 and second heat diffusion barrier
111 with respect to the Y-axis may vary in different embodiments.
In particular, in embodiments suitable for providing uniform
heating the first heat diffusion barrier 110 and second heat
diffusion barrier 111 may be oriented parallel to the Y-axis and
therefore may have walls that are perpendicular to the exposed
surface 206, as detailed below with respect to FIGS. 3A-4. In
embodiments suitable for providing concentrated heat flow the first
heat diffusion barrier 110 and second heat diffusion barrier 11
may, but need not, be oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to
the Y-axis as detailed below with respect to FIGS. 5A-8.
[0029] Turning now to FIG. 3A there is shown an end cross-sectional
view of an apparatus 300 during operation according to further
embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 3B shows a side cross-sectional
view of the apparatus 300. As illustrated, the apparatus 300
includes a crucible 330 and crucible holder 202 whose operation has
been described above. In this embodiment a heat diffusion barrier
assembly 331 comprises a first heat diffusion barrier 332 and
second heat diffusion barrier 334 that are adjacent the surface 320
of the crucible 330. The first heat diffusion barrier 332 and
second heat diffusion barrier 334 may be oriented parallel to the
Y-axis and thus perpendicularly to the exposed surface 322 of melt
106. In particular the first heat diffusion barrier 332 may have a
first wall 326 and the second heat diffusion barrier 334 may have a
second wall 328 that faces the first wall 326, such that the first
wall 326 and second wall 328 define sides of the isolation region
304. The first wall 326 may lie parallel to the second wall 328 and
may extend perpendicularly to the exposed surface 322.
[0030] During operation a heater 312 generates heat flow 302 that
proceeds through the crucible holder 202, through crucible 330 and
into the melt 106. As noted the melt may be silicon and the first
heat diffusion barrier 332 and second heat diffusion barrier 334
may be composed of fused silica, which has a much lower thermal
conductivity than silicon at the melt temperature of silicon.
Accordingly, the heat flow 302 may be confined within an isolation
region 304 defined by the first heat diffusion barrier 332 and
second heat diffusion barrier 334. The heat flow density through
the isolation region 304, which may be composed of molten silicon,
may be more than ten times a heat flow density of heat that flows
outwardly from the isolation region 304 into an outer region 324 of
the melt 106. The latter heat flow is not indicated in FIG. 3A for
clarity. Moreover, by proper arrangement of the heater 312, heat
flow density may be uniform across the isolation region 304 so that
that heat flow density outwardly from the top of the isolation
region 304 may have the same value between points A and B.
[0031] As further shown in FIG. 3A, the apparatus 300 includes a
crystallizer 306, which may remove heat from the surface 322 The
apparatus 300 may also include a crystal puller (not shown). When
heat flow is sufficiently rapid from the surface 322
crystallization from the melt 106 may be initiated, a crystal
puller may draw a crystalline sheet 308 along the pull direction
315, which is parallel to the Z-axis. As shown in FIG. 3B the first
heat diffusion barrier 332 and second heat diffusion barrier 334
are located within the crucible 330 such that the isolation region
304 lies under a portion of the crystalline sheet 308 as it is
drawn in the pull direction 315. As the crystalline sheet 308
solidifies and is drawn to the right in FIG. 3B, the crystalline
sheet 308 may attain a thickness in the direction parallel to the
Y-axis which is greater than desired. In this case, the heater 312
may be employed to generate the heat flow 302 within the isolation
region 304 in order to melt back a portion of the crystalline sheet
308 to reduce its thickness. As the crystalline sheet is drawn
through the isolation region 304 the heat flow 302 may be
sufficient to generate a temperature in the melt 106 adjacent the
crystalline sheet 308 that causes melting of the crystalline sheet,
for example, along its lower surface. The thickness of the
crystalline sheet 308 may then gradually reduce as it is drawn
through the isolation region 304, as illustrated. The apparatus 300
provides the advantage that because heat flow is contained within
the isolation region 304, a uniform heat flow may be provided to
the crystalline sheet 308 so that the thickness of the crystalline
sheet is uniformly reduced between points A and B.
[0032] It is to be noted that in the embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B
other heaters may be provided under additional portions of the
crucible 330 to provide heat to the melt 106 in at least two
heating zones to maintain a desired melt temperature in other
portions of the melt 106 outside of the isolation region 304.
However, because the first heat diffusion barrier 332 and second
heat diffusion barrier 334 restrict heat flow within the isolation
region 304, the direction of heat flow can be channeled
perpendicularly to the exposed surface 322 and heat flow density
can be maintained at a uniform value across the isolation region
304, which heat flow density may be different than that in outer
region 324.
[0033] In order to tailor heat flow within an isolation region, the
geometry of a heater and heat diffusion barrier assembly may be
adjusted. FIG. 3C depicts an apparatus 350 arranged according to
additional embodiments of the disclosure. For simplicity the
apparatus 350 is depicted without a crucible holder but may include
a crucible holder in various embodiments. As illustrated, the
apparatus 350 contains a crucible 364 and a heat diffusion barrier
assembly 366 including a first heat diffusion barrier 356 and
second heat diffusion barrier 358, which may extend parallel to the
Y-axis as described above with respect to the embodiments of FIGS.
3A, 3B. A heater 352 is provided that acts as a uniform heat source
across a heater width d.sub.2 as indicated. The heater 352 may
generate heat flow 354 that proceeds towards the surface 362 of
melt 106 through an isolation region 360 defined by the first heat
diffusion barrier 332 and second heat diffusion barrier 334. In
order to increase uniformity of the heat flow 354 within the
isolation region 360 and increase the uniformity of heat flow
between points C and D at the exposed surface 362, an isolation
region width d.sub.1 may be adjusted relative to the heater width
d.sub.2. In some instances the heater width d.sub.2 may be greater
than isolation region width d.sub.1.
[0034] FIG. 4 presents a composite drawing that includes simulation
of heat flow at an exposed surface of a 13 mm deep melt under three
different geometries. The results are based upon computational
fluid dynamics calculations as applied to a silicon melt in which a
uniform heat source 404 is provided along a lower edge of the melt.
A heat diffusion barrier 402 made of fused silica having a width of
5 mm (along the X-axis) and a height (along the Y-axis) of 10 mm is
placed adjacent an isolation region having a full width of 60 mm
and therefore a half-width of 30 mm, as shown in FIG. 4. The heat
flow density (q'') for all geometries at the bottom of a melt
(along the Y-axis) is 10 W/cm.sup.2. The curve 406 represents the
heat flow density profile for one half of a symmetrical profile
when no heat diffusion barrier is present in the melt, expressed as
a function of position along a melt surface parallel to the X-axis.
As illustrated, the heat flow density at the melt surface in the
center region (X=0) is very close to the initial heat flow at the
bottom of the melt of 10 W/cm.sup.2. The heat flow density
gradually decreases in a direction proceeding toward the edge of
the uniform heat source, such that heat flow density is less than 7
W/cm.sup.2 at X=30 mm, which still lies directly above the uniform
heat source 404. The curve 408 represents the heat flow density
profile when a heat diffusion barrier 402 is present and when the
uniform heat source 404 extends just to the edge of an isolation
region 412 at X=30 mm. As illustrated, the heat flow density is
more uniform and maintains a value between 9-10 W/cm.sup.2 until 25
mm. The curve 410 represents the heat flow density profile when a
heat diffusion barrier 402 is present and when the uniform heat
source extends to a position beyond the edge of an isolation region
412 to X=35 mm. As illustrated, the heat flow density is still more
uniform and maintains a value close to 10 W/cm.sup.2 until 25 mm.
It can be seen from the results of FIG. 4 that uniform heat flow at
a melt surface can be tuned to a desired width by appropriate
placement of heat diffusion barriers in combination with a heat
source. This can be exploited in an apparatus for growth of a
crystalline sheet by arranging the width of a region of uniform
heat flow to cover the width of the crystalline sheet to be
processed along a transverse direction that is perpendicular to a
pull direction of the crystalline sheet. This is illustrated in
FIG. 4 by the crystalline sheet 420 whose half-width is 25 mm so
that the entire width (other half that is not shown is to the left
of the position X=0) can be subject to the same heat flow when the
crystalline sheet 420 is positioned as shown.
[0035] In further embodiments, the properties of a heat diffusion
barrier can be exploited to concentrate heat flow provided to a
surface of a melt. FIG. 5A depicts one embodiment of an apparatus
500 in which the heat diffusion barrier assembly 501 is arranged to
increase heat flow density as heat travels through a melt 106. The
apparatus includes a heater 502, heater 504, and heater 506, which
are disposed under separate portions of a crucible 514. A crucible
holder 510 is disposed between the crucible 514 and heaters. The
crucible holder 510 includes insulating spacers 512 that define
separate regions along the bottom of the crucible 514, which can be
heated separately by heater 502, heater 504, or heater 506. The
heater 502 is disposed under the heat diffusion barrier assembly
501, which is composed of a first heat diffusion barrier 516 and
second heat diffusion barrier 518. Each of the first heat diffusion
barrier 516 and second heat diffusion barrier 518 are angled with
respect to the exposed surface 524 of melt 106, such that the
separation between them is greater at portions of the heat
diffusion barrier assembly 501 further from the exposed surface 524
compared with those portions closer to the exposed surface 524. As
further shown in FIG. 5A, the first heat diffusion barrier 516 and
second heat diffusion barrier 518 are disposed below the exposed
surface 524, where a top portion of the heat diffusion barrier
assembly defines a plane 522 that lies within the melt 106. In some
examples, the depth h.sub.m of the melt 106 along a direction
parallel to the Y-axis may be 10 mm to 20 mm and the distance
h.sub.1 between plane 522 and exposed surface 524 may be 1 mm to 5
mm. The apparatus 500 may further include a crystallizer 520 that
is disposed above the heat diffusion barrier assembly 501. It is to
be noted that is some embodiments, the first heat diffusion barrier
516 and second heat diffusion barrier 518 may form the same angle
with respect to the exposed surface 524, in other embodiments, the
first heat diffusion barrier 516 may form a first angle with
respect to the exposed surface 525 that is different from a second
angle formed by second heat diffusion barrier 518 with respect to
the exposed surface 524. Such an asymmetric orientation of the
first heat diffusion barrier 516 and second heat diffusion barrier
518 may be useful if an asymmetric flux distribution of heat is to
be generated.
[0036] In operation the apparatus 500 may heat the melt 106 using
any combination of heater 502, heater 504, and heater 506. When
heater 502 is active heat flow delivered to the melt 106 may be
concentrated at the exposed surface 524. The concentrated heat flow
may be used to stabilize growth of a crystalline sheet that is
produced on or near the exposed surface 524. In order for
crystallization to take place, heat may be removed at a more rapid
rate than the concentrated heat flow provided to the exposed
surface 524.
[0037] FIG. 5B depicts one example of operation of the apparatus
500. In this example, heater 502 is active and supplies heat to the
melt 106. Heater 504 and heater 506 may also be active but are not
considered herein for simplicity. It may be assumed in one example
that the melt 106 is silicon and that the temperature of the
exposed surface 524 is 1685 K, which is the melting temperature of
silicon. As illustrated, heat flow 530 moves upwardly through the
crucible holder 510 and into the isolation region 534 defined by
the heat diffusion barrier assembly 501 (see FIG. 5A). The heat
diffusion barrier assembly 501 presents a barrier to heat flow
outwardly into outer region 536. Accordingly, concentrated heat
flow 532 is generated at the upper portion of the heat diffusion
barrier assembly 501.
[0038] As noted previously a suitable material for crucible 514 is
fused silica due to its resistance to reaction with a silicon melt
and the fact that it does not introduce contaminant metallic
species into a silicon melt. However, as detailed below, the
softening point and thermal impedance of a fused silica crucible
limits the allowable heat flow through the bottom of the crucible
514. This limit is due in part to the fact that fused silica has a
low thermal conductivity and therefore generates a large
temperature drop from outside of a crucible to inside. Given a
thermal conductivity of fused silica (.about.0.05 W/cm-K at 1700 K)
a 4 mm thick crucible generates a temperature drop of 160 K when 20
W/cm.sup.2 is applied, requiring a temperature of at least 1845 K
outside the crucible to maintain a silicon melt at 1685 K melting
temperature at the bottom of the melt. However, given that the melt
has a finite depth such as 12 mm, a further drop in temperature
occurs between the bottom and top of the melt, which may be in the
range 30-40 K for heat flow of 15 W/cm.sup.2-20 W/cm.sup.2 so that
the melt temperature at the bottom of the melt is often at least
1715 K-1725 K to generate a surface melt temperature of 1685 K.
[0039] The above considerations therefore set a minimum temperature
in the range of 1885 K to maintain the melt surface at 1685 K
melting temperature of silicon when a heat flow density of 20
W/cm.sup.2 provided to a silica crucible in conventional apparatus.
However, the limit of heat flow density of 20 W/cm.sup.2 for
conventional apparatus may be insufficient to stabilize a growing
sheet of crystalline silicon. The heat diffusion barrier assembly
501 addresses this problem by concentrating heat flow towards the
exposed surface 524. In one particular example it may be assumed
that the heat flow 530 is 15 W/cm.sup.2 as conducted through the
bottom of crucible 514 and into a bottom portion of the isolation
region 534 where the area of the isolation region 534 is A.sub.1.
For the purposes of illustration, the heat diffusion barrier
assembly 501 may be angled such that the area of the isolation
region at the plane 522 is A.sub.1/3, which intensifies the heat
flow so heat flow 532 has a value of .about.45 W/cm.sup.2. Given
the conductivity of Si (0.6 W/cm-K), a temperature gradient varies
from .about.3 K/mm at the bottom of the melt 506 to .about.7 K/mm
at the plane 522, averaging .about.5 K/mm. Accordingly, a net
temperature difference from bottom of the crucible 514 to the top
of the heat diffusion barrier assembly 501 is 50 K, assuming a
height of 10 mm for the heat diffusion barrier assembly 501. In an
example in which the plane 522 lies 3 mm below the exposed surface
524, the temperature of the melt 106 at plane 522 is equal to 3
mm.times.7 K/mm, or 21 K, higher than that of the exposed surface
524, making the temperature at the bottom of the crucible 71 K
higher than that of the exposed surface 524. Accordingly, the
temperature at the bottom of the melt 106 may be maintained at 1685
K+71 K or 1756 K.
[0040] Given a thermal conductivity of fused silica (.about.0.05
W/cm-K at 1700 K), the heat flow through the crucible 514 for 15
W/cm.sup.2 heat flow density supplied from heater 502 develops a
temperature gradient of .about.30 K/mm. For a reasonable thickness
of the crucible 514 of 4 mm this leads to a temperature on the
bottom surface 538 of crucible 514 of 30 K/mm.times.4 mm, or 120 K,
higher than the temperature at the bottom of the melt 106, or 1756
K+120 K=1876 K. This temperature is below the temperature range at
which severe softening of the crucible 514 may occur.
[0041] Accordingly, since merely 15 W/cm.sup.2 heat flow density is
generated through the bottom of the crucible 514, the apparatus 500
may deliver a heat flow of .about.45 W/cm.sup.2 to the plane 522
without compromising crucible integrity, which may not be possible
using conventional apparatus. It may be noted that, for a given
heat flow into the bottom of a crucible, the use of an angled heat
diffusion barrier assembly may create a higher thermal gradient on
average than in conventional apparatus that do not employ heat
diffusion barriers. For example, a conventional apparatus that
supplies 15 W/cm.sup.2 would generate a thermal gradient of
.about.3 K/mm throughout the melt, while in the above embodiment
the average thermal gradient was 5 K/mm. However, in order to
generate 45 W/cm.sup.2 at the melt surface a conventional apparatus
would need to generate 45 W/cm.sup.2 at the bottom of the melt,
which would lead to a temperature gradient of 90 K/mm or a
temperature drop across a 4 mm thick crucible of 360 K. In
addition, heat flow density of 45 W cm.sup.2 would produce a
thermal gradient in excess of 7 K/mm in the silicon melt, leading
to a temperature drop of 70 K through a 10 mm deep melt.
Accordingly, a temperature on the outside of the crucible would
need to be at least 1685 K+70 K+360 K, or 2115 K in order to
generate a temperature of 1685 K at the melt surface. However, the
integrity of a fused silica crucible would not be maintained at
2115 K due to severe softening or flow at such a high
temperature.
[0042] FIG. 5C depicts a further instance of operation of the
apparatus 500 in which the crystallizer 520 removes heat from the
exposed surface 524, shown as the heat flow 537. The heat flow 537
may exceed that of the heat flow 532, such that crystallization
takes place at the exposed surface 524 above the heat diffusion
barrier assembly 501. A crystal puller (not shown) may draw a
crystalline sheet 540 by moving along the pull direction 515 as
shown. An advantage provided by the apparatus 500 for forming
crystalline sheets is that the apparatus 500 is capable of
generating high heat flow density at a surface of a melt in excess
of 20 W/cm.sup.2, such as from 30 W/cm.sup.2 to 50 W/cm.sup.2 which
levels are not accomplished by conventional apparatus. The present
inventors have recognized that such high levels of heat flow
density may be useful to stabilize growth of crystalline sheets in
horizontal growth apparatus such as those disclosed herein.
[0043] It is noted that in order accommodate formation of a sheet
of crystalline material along a melt surface the top of a heat
diffusion barrier assembly 501 may be located below the surface of
a melt. However, high heat flow density may still be delivered to
the surface of the melt even when the heat diffusion barrier
assembly does not extend to the surface. FIG. 6 depicts exemplary
heat flow density curves for various scenarios. The results are
based upon computational fluid dynamics calculations as applied to
a silicon melt in which a heat flow of 15 W/cm.sup.2 is provided at
the bottom of a melt whose depth is 13 mm. The top of a heat
diffusion barrier assembly may be assumed to be 3 mm below a
surface of the melt. The curve 602 illustrates the case in which no
heat diffusion barrier assembly is present. In this case a broad
peak in heat flow density occurs with a peak value of less than 12
W/cm.sup.2. Curve 604 illustrates the case in which an angled heat
diffusion barrier assembly is present and heat flow density is
computed at the top of the heat diffusion barrier assembly. In this
case, a narrow peak having a full width at half maximum (FWHM) in
the range of 5 mm to 6 mm is observed having a peak value of 35
W/cm.sup.2 illustrating the heat flow density enhancement afforded
by using the heat diffusion barrier assembly. Curve 606 illustrates
the case in which an angled heat diffusion barrier assembly is
present and heat flow density is computed 1 mm below the surface of
the melt. In this case, a narrow peak is observed having a peak
value of 30 W/cm.sup.2 illustrating the heat flow density
enhancement still persists. Curve 608 illustrates the case in which
an angled heat diffusion barrier assembly is present and heat flow
density is computed at the surface of the melt. In this case, a
narrow peak is observed having a peak value of 28.5 W/cm.sup.2
illustrating that the majority of the heat flow density enhancement
produced by the angled heat diffusion barrier assembly still
persists.
[0044] It is to be noted that the exact amount of enhancement of
heat flow density at a melt surface may be tailored by adjusting
the angle of heat diffusion barriers as well as their distance from
a melt surface. FIG. 7 depicts exemplary heat flow density curves
for various different scenarios, in which the gap or separation of
heat diffusion barriers at the top of a heat diffusion barrier
assembly is varied. In FIG. 7, all the heat flow density curves
reflect calculations based upon a heat diffusion barrier assembly
having a separation of 25 mm at the bottom adjacent a crucible
bottom. By adjusting the angle of the diffusion barrier walls the
gap at the top of the diffusion barrier assembly is adjusted. Curve
702 illustrates the case in which the gap at the top of the heat
diffusion barrier assembly is 25 mm, such that the isolation region
has a constant width. In this instance a wide peak having a maximum
value of 26.3 W/cm.sup.2 is generated. Curve 704 illustrates the
case in which the gap at the top of the heat diffusion barrier
assembly is 12 mm. In this instance a narrower peak having a
maximum value of 37.4 W/cm.sup.2 is generated. Curve 706
illustrates the case in which the gap at the top of the heat
diffusion barrier assembly is 8 mm. In this instance a still
narrower peak having a maximum value of 42.4 W/cm.sup.2 is
generated. Curve 708 illustrates the case in which the gap at the
top of the heat diffusion barrier assembly is 4 mm. In this
instance a yet narrower peak having a maximum value of 44.1
W/cm.sup.2 is generated. Curve 710 illustrates the case in which
the gap at the top of the heat diffusion barrier assembly is 3 mm.
In this instance a yet narrower peak having a maximum value of 42.9
W/cm.sup.2 is generated. Curve 712 illustrates the case in which
the gap at the top of the heat diffusion barrier assembly is 2 mm.
In this instance a yet narrower peak having a maximum value of 40.6
W/cm.sup.2 is generated. Curve 714 illustrates the case in which
the gap at the top of the heat diffusion barrier assembly is 1 mm.
In this instance a still narrower peak having a maximum value of 35
W/cm.sup.2 is generated. The decrease in maximum heat flux values
for gap dimension less than 4 mm may be attributed to increased
thermal impedance caused by the reduced gap through which heat may
be conducted within the high-thermal conductivity molten
silicon.
[0045] From the above results it can be observed that angling a
heat diffusion barrier assembly to decrease the gap at the top of
the heat diffusion barrier assembly from 25 mm to 4 mm has the
effect of increasing a peak value of heat flux density. It can
further be observed that the maximum peak value occurs when the gap
is 4 mm and decreases at smaller gaps. Accordingly, these results
demonstrate that the heat flow density can be tuned by adjusting
the relative size of the gap at the top and bottom of a heat
diffusion barrier assembly. It is also to be noted from the above
results that the width of the peak of heat flux density such as
FWHM may be adjusted to maintain a narrow peak that delivers heat
in a narrow zone, which may be suitable for stabilizing the leading
edge of a silicon sheet.
[0046] In other embodiments, an apparatus for processing a melt may
include multiple heat diffusion barrier assemblies. In particular
embodiments, an apparatus may include a first heat diffusion
barrier assembly to generate concentrated heat flow at a melt
surface and a second heat diffusion barrier to generate a uniform
heat flow in a target region of the melt. FIG. 8 depicts one
example of operation of an apparatus 800 that includes heat
diffusion barrier assembly components of the apparatus 500 and the
apparatus 300 as described herein above. In particular, heat
diffusion barrier assembly 501 is operative to generate the
concentrated heat flow 532 as described hereinabove. This heat flow
may exceed, for example, 30 W/cm.sup.2, and may be employed to
stabilize growth of a leading edge 806 of the crystalline sheet
804. This may occur when heat flow 537 is removed by the
crystallizer 520 from the exposed surface 524 and crystallization
takes place. The apparatus 800 also includes a heater 352 and heat
diffusion barrier assembly 366 whose operation has been described
hereinabove with respect to FIG. 3C. In particular, the heat
diffusion barrier assembly 366 and heater 352 may provide heat flow
towards the crystalline sheet 804 along the Y-axis that is uniform
in heat flow density across the width of the crystalline sheet 804
parallel to the X-axis, as generally shown in FIG. 3C and FIG. 4.
Accordingly, the heat diffusion barrier assembly 366 may melt back
a portion of the crystalline sheet 804 in a uniform manner across
its width as suggested in FIG. 8. Thus, the apparatus 800 provides
both improved heat flow to stabilize a leading edge of a
crystalline sheet as well as uniform heat flow to uniformly process
the crystalline sheet, such as to provide uniform melt back across
the width of the crystalline sheet.
[0047] The present disclosure is not to be limited in scope by the
specific embodiments described herein. Indeed, other various
embodiments of and modifications to the present disclosure, in
addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art from the foregoing description and
accompanying drawings. Thus, such other embodiments and
modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the present
disclosure. Furthermore, although the present disclosure has been
described herein in the context of a particular implementation in a
particular environment for a particular purpose, those of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that its usefulness is not limited
thereto and that the present disclosure may be beneficially
implemented in any number of environments for any number of
purposes. Accordingly, the claims set forth below should be
construed in view of the full breadth and spirit of the present
disclosure as described herein.
* * * * *