CRUCIBLE FOR A DEVICE USED FOR THE PRODUCTION OF A BLOCK OF CRYSTALLINE MATERIAL, AND PRODUCTION METHOD

摘要

Disclosed is a crucible, the thermal transfer properties of the bottom (7) of which are much greater than those of the sidewalls (8) parallel to an axis extending substantially perpendicular to the bottom (7). Said bottom (7) and the sidewalls (8) are made of materials that are provided with the same main chemical components. The bottom (7) can be transparent to infrared radiation while the sidewalls (8) can be opaque to infrared radiation. The bottom (7) can be made of amorphous silica while the sidewalls (8) can be made of a ceramic material consisting of opaque quartz. The crucible can also be made of graphite. The device can comprise a graphite felt (9) that is disposed between the bottom (7) of the crucible and cooling means (4), and means (10) for compressing the graphite felt (9), allowing a thermal gradient ranging between 8 DEG C/cm and 30 DEG C/cm to be defined in the liquid phase.