Method and apparatus for zone regrowth of crystal ribbons from bulk material

摘要

A method and apparatus for producing crystalline ribbons of a material from a "crucible-less" configuration of bodies of the material including possible deposition on a substrate. Means for coupling electromagnetic energy into a source body of material are provided to appropriately induce electrical currents in order to control and restrict the molten zone and suppress net loss of the heat of fusion from the balance of the ribbon-like body. The melt zone is replenished to sustain the shape and size of the growing ribbon-like body. The heat of crystallization is selectively removed by a heat absorbing means from one end of the melt zone in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of pulling.