STIM Perovskite Crystal Growth for Large-Area Thickness Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods struggle to grow perovskite single crystals with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm and a large area, necessary for effective X-ray detection, while also integrating them with substrates like TFT panels for various applications.

Innovation Solution

The STIM integrated growth apparatus and method adjust the thickness and area of perovskite single crystals using a space-confined temperature gradient, allowing for controlled growth and integration with substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a perovskite single crystal is grown with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm for effective X-ray absorption, then the X-ray absorption capability is improved, but the charge diffusion distance becomes insufficient for effective charge collection

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethicknessVSAvoidcharge diffusion distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the growth parameters of the perovskite single crystal, specifically controlling the temperature gradient and growth conditions to achieve a thickness of 0.5-2 mm while maintaining sufficient charge diffusion distance. The temperature gradient parameter is optimized to enable controlled growth that satisfies both thickness and charge collection requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If the lateral area of the perovskite single crystal is increased to cover large detection areas, then the detection area is improved, but the thickness becomes excessively large (15 mm or more) due to the 3:1 length-to-thickness ratio

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral areaVSAvoidthickness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the growth parameters including temperature gradient and chemical composition to achieve a novel length-to-thickness ratio that deviates from the conventional 3:1 ratio. This enables the crystal to have large lateral area with controlled thickness suitable for X-ray detection applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a spacer method is used to control the thickness of the perovskite single crystal, then the thickness control is improved, but the substrate acts as a nucleation center causing additional crystals to form, making large-area single crystal growth difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness controlVSAvoidsingle crystal area
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the substrate's nucleation function that causes unwanted additional crystal formation. By using a specific growth method that prevents the substrate from acting as a nucleation center, the patent enables large-area single crystal growth while maintaining thickness control through the spacer method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary element between the substrate and the perovskite crystal. This spacer controls the thickness while preventing the substrate from acting as a nucleation center, thereby enabling both thickness control and large-area single crystal growth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the perovskite single crystal is grown independently without integration with the TFT substrate, then the crystal quality is maintained, but electrical connection between the TFT substrate and perovskite crystal cannot be established

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrystal qualityVSAvoidelectrical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the perovskite single crystal growth process with the TFT substrate integration process. By combining these two previously separate processes, the patent achieves both crystal quality maintenance and electrical connection establishment, as the crystal grows directly on the substrate with proper electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables the growth of large-area perovskite single crystals with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm, enhancing X-ray detection sensitivity and enabling applications in TFT panels and other fields.

Implementation Method 1

space-confined temperature gradient induced monolithic (STIM) integrated growth

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature gradient: Temperature Gradient

Implementation Method 2

dip the perovskite single crystal seed in a perovskite precursor solution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

insert a spacer that adjusts the thickness of a perovskite single crystal between two substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical confinement: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP4660352A1Space-confined temperature gradient induced monolithic (STIM) integrated growth apparatus capable of adjusting thickness perovskite single crystal and growing large-area perovskite single crystal and STIM integrated growth method using the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 KOREA ADVANCED INST OF SCI & TECH
  • EP4660352A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4660352A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4660352A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A space-confined temperature gradient induced monolithic (STIM) integration growth apparatus capable of adjusting a thickness of a perovskite single crystal and growing a large-area perovskite single crystal may include an upper housing including a storage space in which a perovskite precursor solution is stored, a lower housing coupled to a lower part of the upper housing, and a temperature control device disposed under the lower housing. The lower housing may include a first frame, a second frame disposed to be spaced apart from the first frame, and a spacer that is disposed between the first frame and the second frame and that partitions a growth space for a perovskite single crystal seed.