Crystal growing furnace with automatic alarm shutdown function

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of crystal growth, and particularly relates to a crystal growing furnace with an automatic alarm shutdown function, which comprises an infrared receiver, an infrared transmitter, a quartz hearth, a quartz crucible and a heating area, the transparent quartz hearth is used for observing the growth condition of crystals in the furnace, and the quartz crucible is used for containing materials for crystal growth. In the heating process of the heating area, when the quartz crucible is broken under the high-temperature condition to cause material leakage, the infrared receiver and the infrared transmitter detect abnormity, so that the control system triggers an alarm, cuts off a power supply of the heater and a moving system for crystal growth, and starts the exhaust system to reduce excessive leakage of harmful substances so as to guarantee personnel safety; and the safety is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of crystal growth, and in particular relates to a crystal growth furnace with an automatic alarm and shutdown function. Background Art

[0002] With the advancement of science and technology, particularly in the field of optoelectronics, the demand for high-performance semiconductor materials is growing. Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT), a new-generation compound semiconductor, has become the material of choice for X-ray and low-energy gamma-ray detectors due to its excellent optoelectronic properties. However, the application of CZT detectors is limited by crystal performance, yield, and cost, resulting in high costs. Traditional crystal growth furnaces present several challenges when growing CZT crystals, such as the presence of numerous tellurium inclusions in the crystals, compositional inhomogeneities caused by atmosphere diffusion during post-annealing, and leakage caused by container rupture during crystal precipitation.

[0003] The moving heater method (THM) is a method for growing cadmium zinc telluride (CdZnTe) / cadmium telluride (CdTe) single crystals. This method involves placing a sealed quartz crucible in the THM crystal growth furnace. The furnace is heated to a high temperature, then held constant. The crucible is then slowly lowered, allowing the feedstock to gradually dissolve in the tellurium at the upper edge of the tellurium-rich zone and precipitate at the lower edge. After a long period of movement, a single crystal is obtained. During this process, the quartz crucible may crack. At high temperatures, a cracked crucible can cause the liquid material in the tellurium-rich zone to leak. This leak of high-temperature tellurium and CZT can cause serious environmental pollution and safety concerns. If not detected promptly and the furnace cooled rapidly, vapors from the hot tellurium and CZT can continue to evaporate into the atmosphere, generating a particulate mist. These particulates, containing heavy metals, pose a significant potential inhalation and contact hazard to personnel. Utility Model Content

[0004] In response to the shortcomings of the existing technology, the utility model provides a crystal growth furnace with an automatic alarm and shutdown function. The purpose is that when the quartz crucible breaks under high temperature conditions and causes material leakage, the infrared receiver and infrared transmitter detect the abnormality, causing the control system to trigger an automatic alarm, cut off the power supply of the heater and the mobile system of crystal growth, and start the exhaust system to reduce excessive leakage of harmful substances.

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the utility model provides a crystal growth furnace with an automatic alarm shutdown function, comprising an infrared receiver and an infrared transmitter, a quartz furnace, a quartz crucible and a heating zone; the infrared receiver and the infrared transmitter are installed above the outside of the quartz furnace; a closed quartz crucible is provided in the quartz furnace; and the heating zones are placed on both sides outside the quartz furnace.

[0006] The aforementioned crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm shutdown is equipped with an infrared receiver and infrared transmitter, a quartz furnace, a quartz crucible, and a heating zone. This allows the quartz crucible to move during heating, precipitating crystals. When the crucible ruptures at high temperatures, liquid tellurium material and its vapor leak out. The vapor rises to the top of the outer quartz tube, cools, and deposits on the inner wall, producing a white, opaque substance. The incident infrared light is blocked by the opaque white substance, significantly reducing its transmittance. The infrared receiver and infrared transmitter detect this drop in transmittance and promptly cut off power, rapidly cooling the quartz crucible and preventing continued vapor leakage, thus avoiding serious EHS issues. The infrared receiver and infrared transmitter monitor the furnace temperature and wirelessly transmit data. The transparent quartz furnace is used to observe crystal growth within the furnace. The quartz crucible holds the material for crystal growth, and the heating zone controls the temperature.

[0007] Furthermore, the quartz crucible includes a vapor zone, a tellurium-rich zone and a crystal growth zone; the tellurium-rich zone is located between the vapor zone and the crystal growth zone.

[0008] In a THM crystal growth furnace, a quartz crucible is filled with tellurium-rich material and cadmium telluride or cadmium zinc telluride polycrystalline material. At high temperatures, the tellurium-rich material first melts to form a molten zone, into which the cadmium telluride or cadmium zinc telluride polycrystalline material gradually dissolves. As the temperature decreases, cadmium zinc telluride precipitates from the tellurium-rich solvent zone, and the precipitated cadmium telluride or cadmium zinc telluride single crystals gradually grow at the bottom of the crucible. This process involves melting, dissolution, precipitation, and crystal growth, ultimately forming the desired cadmium zinc telluride / cadmium telluride single crystals.

[0009] Furthermore, it also includes a control system, which is connected to the infrared receiver and the infrared transmitter.

[0010] Furthermore, the control system includes an automatic alarm device.

[0011] Furthermore, it also includes an exhaust system, which is connected to the control system.

[0012] The control system of the aforementioned crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function is equipped with an automatic alarm device and is connected to the exhaust system. When infrared detection detects that the temperature inside the furnace exceeds a preset safety threshold, an alarm is automatically triggered and the furnace is shut down, preventing continuous leakage of material vapors. At the same time, the exhaust system is activated in a timely manner, effectively preventing the harm of toxic and hazardous substances.

[0013] Furthermore, at least one filter is installed in the exhaust system.

[0014] The above-mentioned crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function has at least one filter installed in the exhaust system to filter harmful substances in the exhaust gas, reduce environmental pollution, and ensure personnel safety.

[0015] Furthermore, the quartz crucible is sealed and welded under vacuum.

[0016] The crystal growth furnace further has a support block at the bottom of the quartz furnace, and the quartz crucible is installed on the support block.

[0017] The above-mentioned crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function is equipped with a support block in the quartz furnace chamber for placing the quartz crucible, providing an insulating and supporting platform, which helps to evenly distribute the heat at the bottom of the crucible. At the same time, when the crucible breaks, the support block can prevent the broken crucible fragments from directly contacting the furnace chamber, reducing the risk of leakage and contamination, and ensuring the safety and controllability of the crystal growth process.

[0018] Furthermore, the temperature control range of the heating zone is 700°C~1000°C.

[0019] The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function can accurately control the temperature of the heating zone within the range of 700°C to 1000°C to meet the needs of crystal growth, thereby obtaining higher quality single crystals.

[0020] Furthermore, a quartz crucible is placed at the bottom of the quartz furnace.

[0021] Beneficial effects

[0022] The utility model provides a crystal growth furnace with an automatic alarm and shutdown function. When a quartz crucible is broken due to high temperature and material leakage occurs, the infrared receiver and the infrared transmitter detect the decrease in transmittance in time. When the power is cut off in time, the quartz crucible is cooled rapidly to prevent continuous leakage of material vapor. The automatic alarm function of the control system is used to notify in time and the exhaust system is started at the same time, thereby reducing environmental pollution and improving safety. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of the crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function in Example 1;

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function in Example 2.

[0025] In the accompanying drawings: 1. infrared receiver; 2. infrared transmitter; 3. quartz furnace; 4. quartz crucible; 5. heating zone; 6. support block; 41. steam zone; 42. tellurium-rich zone; 43. crystal growth zone. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Example 1

[0027] like Figure 1The crystal growth furnace shown here features an automatic alarm and shutdown function. It includes an infrared receiver 1 and infrared transmitter 2, a quartz furnace chamber 3, a quartz crucible 4, and a heating zone 5. The infrared receiver 1 and infrared transmitter 2 are mounted above and outside the quartz furnace chamber 2. A sealed quartz crucible 4 is located within the quartz furnace chamber 3. The heating zones 5 are located on both sides of the furnace chamber 3. The temperature of the heating zones 5 is controlled within a range of 700°C to 1000°C to meet the needs of crystal growth.

[0028] By arranging an infrared receiver and infrared transmitter, a quartz furnace, a quartz crucible, and a heating zone, the quartz crucible moves during heating, precipitating crystals. When the crucible ruptures at high temperatures, liquid tellurium and its vapor leak out. The vapor rises to the top of the outer quartz tube, cools, and deposits on the inner wall, producing a white, opaque substance. The incident infrared light is blocked by the opaque white substance, significantly reducing its transmittance. The infrared receiver and infrared transmitter detect this drop in transmittance and promptly cut off power, rapidly cooling the quartz crucible and preventing continued vapor leakage, thus avoiding serious EHS issues. The infrared receiver and infrared transmitter monitor the furnace temperature and wirelessly transmit data. The transparent quartz furnace is used to observe crystal growth within the furnace. The quartz crucible holds the material for crystal growth, and the heating zone controls the temperature.

[0029] The quartz crucible 4 includes a vapor region 41, a tellurium-rich region 42, and a crystal growth region 43. The tellurium-rich region 42 is located between the vapor region 41 and the crystal growth region 43. In addition, the quartz crucible 4 is sealed and welded under vacuum.

[0030] In a THM crystal growth furnace, a quartz crucible is filled with tellurium-rich material and cadmium telluride or cadmium zinc telluride polycrystalline material. At high temperatures, the tellurium-rich material first melts to form a molten zone, into which the cadmium telluride or cadmium zinc telluride polycrystalline material gradually dissolves. As the temperature decreases, cadmium zinc telluride precipitates from the tellurium-rich solvent zone. The precipitated cadmium telluride or cadmium zinc telluride single crystals gradually grow at the bottom of the crucible, forming the desired cadmium zinc telluride / cadmium telluride single crystals.

[0031] In addition, the system also includes a control system connected to an infrared receiver 1 and an infrared transmitter 2, and includes an automatic alarm device. Also connected to the control system is an exhaust system, which is also connected to the control system. When infrared detection detects that the temperature inside the furnace exceeds a preset safety threshold, an alarm is automatically triggered and the machine is shut down to prevent continued leakage of material vapor. At the same time, the exhaust system can be activated in a timely manner. This can effectively prevent the hazards of toxic and hazardous substances. At least one filter is installed in the exhaust system to filter out harmful substances in the exhaust gas, reducing environmental pollution and ensuring personnel safety.

[0032] In addition, a support block 6 is provided at the bottom of the quartz furnace 3, and the quartz crucible 4 is placed on the support block 6. The support block 6 provides a thermally insulating and supporting platform, which helps to evenly distribute the heat at the bottom of the crucible. At the same time, if the crucible breaks, the support block can prevent the broken crucible fragments from directly contacting the furnace, reducing the risk of leakage and contamination, and ensuring the safety and controllability of the crystal growth process.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] like Figure 2 The crystal growth furnace shown here, with an automatic alarm shutdown function, differs from Example 1 in that no support block 6 is provided; instead, the quartz crucible 4 is placed directly on the bottom of the quartz furnace chamber 3. This direct contact between the quartz crucible 4 and the bottom of the quartz furnace chamber 3 maximizes heat transfer, helping to more quickly reach the desired growth temperature. Furthermore, this direct placement simplifies the internal structure of the furnace chamber, reduces potential maintenance points, and potentially reduces manufacturing and maintenance costs.

Claims

1. A crystal growth furnace with an automatic alarm and shutdown function, characterized in that: The invention comprises an infrared receiver (1), an infrared transmitter (2), a quartz furnace (3), a quartz crucible (4) and a heating zone (5); the infrared receiver (1) and the infrared transmitter (2) are installed above the outside of the quartz furnace (3); a closed quartz crucible (4) is provided in the quartz furnace (3); and the heating zone (5) is placed on both sides outside the quartz furnace (3).

2. The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The quartz crucible (4) comprises a steam zone (41), a tellurium-rich zone (42) and a crystal growth zone (43); the tellurium-rich zone (42) is located between the steam zone (41) and the crystal growth zone (43).

3. The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a control system, which is connected to the infrared receiver (1) and the infrared transmitter (2).

4. The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control system includes an automatic alarm device.

5. The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes an exhaust system, which is connected to the control system.

6. The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The quartz crucible (4) is sealed and welded under vacuum.

7. The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function according to claim 1, characterized in that: A support block (6) is provided at the bottom of the quartz furnace (3), and the quartz crucible (4) is mounted on the support block (6).

8. The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The temperature control range of the heating zone (5) is 700°C to 1000°C.

9. The crystal growth furnace with automatic alarm and shutdown function according to claim 1, characterized in that: The quartz crucible (4) is placed at the bottom of the quartz furnace (3).

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