Crystal pulling method including crucible and conditioning members

Abstract

Systems and methods for forming an ingot from a melt are disclosed. A method includes placing conditioning members within a cavity defined by a crucible and placing feedstock material into the cavity. The method also includes melting the feedstock material to form the melt. A melt line is defined by a surface of the melt. The conditioning members including quartz bodies arranged at the melt line to contact the melt and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for pulling a crystal ingot from a melt in a crystal pulling system, the system including a crucible defining a cavity, the method comprising:
 placing conditioning members within the cavity;   placing feedstock material into the cavity; and   melting the feedstock material to form the melt, a melt line being defined by a surface of the melt, wherein the conditioning members include quartz bodies arranged at the melt line to contact the melt and reduce the number of micro-voids in the melt.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein placing the quartz bodies within the cavity comprises placing the quartz bodies into the cavity while melting the feedstock material. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein placing the quartz bodies within the cavity comprises placing the quartz bodies within the cavity throughout an outer zone defined between a first barrier and the crucible. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising arranging spacers in the outer zone to support the quartz bodies within the outer zone. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising arranging the quartz bodies such that the quartz bodies extend beyond the melt line of the melt. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a first barrier disposed in the cavity to inhibit movement of the melt and a second barrier disposed in the cavity to inhibit movement of the melt from outward of the second barrier to inward of the second barrier, and wherein placing the quartz bodies within the cavity comprises placing the quartz bodies within the cavity throughout a transition zone defined between the first barrier and the second barrier. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising arranging spacers in the transition zone to support the quartz bodies within the transition zone. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising allowing the melt to flow through a first passageway defined by the first barrier and a second passageway defined by the second barrier. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first passageway and the second passageway is positioned adjacent a base of the crucible, and further comprising arranging the quartz bodies such that the quartz bodies extend to the base of the crucible. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the first passageway and the second passageway is positioned adjacent a surface of the melt, and further comprising arranging the quartz bodies such that the quartz bodies extend above the surface of the melt.