摘要 |
A process for controlling the amount of insoluble gas trapped by a silicon melt is disclosed. After a crucible is charged with polycrystalline silicon, a gas comprising at least about 10% of a gas having a high solubility in silicon is used as the purging gas for a period of time during melting. After the polycrystalline silicon charge has completely melted, the purge gas may be switched to a conventional argon purge. Utilizing a purge gas highly soluble in silicon for a period of time during the melting process reduces the amount of insoluble gases trapped in the charge and, hence, the amount of insoluble gases grown into the crystal that form defects on sliced wafers.
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