Melter assembly and method for charging a crystal forming apparatus with molten source material

• Main Author: HOLDER JOHN D
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 25.07.2007
• Subjects: AFTER-TREATMENT OF SINGLE CRYSTALS OR A HOMOGENEOUSPOLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITH DEFINED STRUCTURE; APPARATUS THEREFOR; CHEMISTRY; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; CRYSTAL GROWTH; INORGANIC CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY; NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; PRODUCTION OF A HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITHDEFINED STRUCTURE; REFINING BY ZONE-MELTING OF MATERIAL; SINGLE CRYSTALS OR HOMOGENEOUS POLYCRYSTALLINE MATERIAL WITHDEFINED STRUCTURE; SINGLE-CRYSTAL-GROWTH; UNIDIRECTIONAL SOLIDIFICATION OF EUTECTIC MATERIAL ORUNIDIRECTIONAL DEMIXING OF EUTECTOID MATERIAL

A melter assembly supplies a charge of molten source material to a crystal forming apparatus for use in forming crystalline bodies. The melter assembly comprises a housing and a crucible located in the housing. A heater is disposed relative to the crucible for melting solid source material received in the crucible. The crucible has a nozzle to control the flow of molten source material such that a directed flow of molten source material can be supplied to the crystal forming apparatus at a selected flow rate. A method of charging a crystal forming apparatus with molten source material and a method of servicing multiple crystal forming apparatus with a single melter assembly are also provided.