Abstract:
A plasma deposition apparatus for making high purity silicon, including a chamber for depositing said high purity silicon, the chamber including a top defining substantially an upper end of die chamber; one or more sides having an upper end and a lower end, the top substantially sealingly joining the upper end of the one or more sides; a base defining substantially a lower end of the chamber, the base substantially sealingly joining the lower end of the one or more sides; and at least one induction coupled plasma torch disposed in the top, the at least one induction coupled plasma torch oriented in a substantially vertical position producing a plasma flame downward from the top towards the base, the plasma flame defining a reaction zone for reacting one or more reactants to produce the high purity silicon. In addition, methods for collecting molten silicon are also provided.
Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a liquid injector for silicon production. In one embodiment, the injector includes a tube having at least one opening at a first end of said tube, a moveable sealing means disposed inside the tube for sealing the at least one opening and a heating means coupled to the tube for controlling a temperature of a liquid exiting the tube through the at least one opening.
Abstract:
Method and equipment for production of high purity silicon (Si) metal from reduction of silicon tetrachloride (SiCI 4 ) by liquid zinc metal. The Zn reduction of SiCI 4 and the production of Zn by electrolysis of ZnCb take place in a common, combined reactor and electrolysis cell using a molten salt as electrolyte. The reactor and electrolysis cell may preferably be provided in a common housing which is divided into two or more communicating compartments (13, 1, 2) by a first or more partition walls (15, 8, 7). Further, the electrolysis Of ZnCI 2 , performed by means of suitable electrodes, is taking place in at least one compartment (1, 2) and the Zn reduction of SiCI 4 takes place in at least one other compartment (13), where Zn metal flows between the chamber/s (1,2) of the ZnCI 2 electrolysis to the chamber/s (13) of SiCI 4 reduction, and where the electrolyte circulates between the chamber/s of ZnCI 2 electrolysis to the chamber/s of SiCI 4 reduction. The atmosphere in the chamber/s where electrolysis takes place is preferably separated from the atmosphere in the other chamber/s by the first partition wall (15).
Abstract:
The invention relates to the manufacture of high purity germanium-bearing silicon alloys as a base material for the production of silicon solar cells. Gaseous SiCl 4 and GeCl 4 are converted to metals by contacting them with liquid Zn, thereby obtaining a Ge-bearing Si alloy and Zn-chloride, which is separated. The alloy is then purified by heating it at a temperature above the boiling point of Zn. This process does not require complicated technologies and preserves the high purity of SiCl 4 and GeCl 4 towards the end product. The only other reactant is Zn, which can be obtained in very high purity grades, and which can be recycled after electrolysis of the Zn-chloride.
Abstract:
IPCicon nanoparticles and metal-centered silicon nanoparticles and solution phase methods of synthesis using commonly available reagents and ordinary conditions. Solvent may be diglyme, triglyme, tetraglyme, even in mixture with nonpolar solvent. A halosilane is reduced with metal, for example, at reflux conditions. Reaction product is hydrolyzed or passivated to produce stable subunit that can agglomerate or polymerize into larger structures. Particle size synthesized can be controlled. These particles and structures are photoluminescent and suitable for various applications, including light emitting devices.