Method and apparatus for consolidation of granular silicon and measuring non-metals content

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 9580327
APP PUB NO 20150225246A1
SERIAL NO

14178103

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Abstract

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Apparatus and methods for consolidating granular silicon and determining trace elements content of the consolidated silicon are disclosed. Silicon granules are placed in a vessel, and a silicon slug of known purity is embedded at least partially in the granules. The slug is preheated to a temperature sufficient to couple with an induction heater. As the silicon slug melts, silicon granules adjacent the molten silicon also melt. The vessel passes through an induction coil to successively inductively heat and melt regions of the silicon granules from the leading end to the trailing end with each region solidifying as the molten silicon exits the induction coil to provide a multicrystalline silicon ingot. The multicrystalline silicon ingot is sliced into wafers, which are analyzed by low-temperature Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to determine levels of trace elements in the ingot.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
REC SILICON INC3322 ROAD N NE MOSES LAKE WA 98837

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Ciszek, Theodore F Evergreen, US 21 684
Julsrud, Stein Moses Lake, US 27 76
Miller, Matthew J Moses Lake, US 80 2467
Yilmaz, Sefa Moses Lake, US 14 57

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