Advanced crucible support and thermal distribution management

Abstract

An advanced crucible support system is described that allows for greater heat flow to and from the bottom of a crucible, preferably while also preventing excessive heat from reaching a heat exchanger. In particular, a support base is described that includes a plurality of spaced crown features disposed on the support base plate. The crown features receive and vertically support the crucible and are spaced to support the crucible and to allow heat flow between the plurality of crown features. In doing so, a top surface of spaced crown features are in direct contact with the crucible.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a crucible;   a support base plate; and   a plurality of spaced crown features disposed on the support base plate, the crown features configured to receive and vertically support the crucible, the plurality of spaced crown features spaced to support the crucible and to allow heat flow between the plurality of spaced crown features, wherein a top surface of the plurality of spaced crown features are in direct contact with the crucible.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an aperture in the support base plate configured to receive a heat exchanger.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as in  claim 2 , wherein
 the recessed cavity is contained within an interior space defined by the plurality of spaced crown features and surrounding the aperture; and   the insulation surrounds a portion of the heat exchanger.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as in  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a sheet covering the insulation on a side of the insulation facing the crucible, wherein a gap is formed between the low emissivity sheet and a bottom surface of the crucible, and the sheet is configured to reflect radiation back to the bottom surface of the crucible within the gap.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the spaced crown features include:
 a replaceable shim on each of the plurality of crown features.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as in  claim 1 , wherein the support base plate defines a plurality of slotted apertures, the plurality of slotted apertures each configured to receive a respective lifting arm, which when rotated while through the slotted apertures, results in engagement of the support base plate by the respective lifting arm. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus as in  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of slotted apertures further define corresponding cavities for engagement of the support base plate by the respective lifting arm without the lifting arm protruding beyond a bottom plane of the support base plate. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the sheet is made of tungsten. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a recessed cavity formed in the support base plate; and   an insulation disposed within the cavity, wherein the insulation is disposed within the cavity with a gap between the insulation and a bottom surface of the crucible.