Single crystal wire and manufacturing method of the same

Abstract

Disclosed are a single crystal wire and a manufacturing method thereof. The method comprises the steps of: placing into a growth crucible at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, silver, aluminum and nickel; heating and melting the metal placed in the growth crucible; growing a single crystal using the metal crystal as a seed by the Czochralski or Bridgmari method; cutting the grown single crystal by electric discharge machining; and forming the cut single crystal into a wire. In the method, the grown metal single crystal is formed into a disc-shaped piece by electric discharge machining. The piece is formed into a single crystal wire by wire-cut electric discharge machining, and the single crystal wire can be used as a ring, a pendant or a wire within a high-quality cable making a connection in audio and video systems. Also, the single crystal formed into the disc-shaped piece by electric discharge machining can be used as a substrate and a target for deposition.

1 . A method for manufacturing a single crystal wire, comprising the steps of: 
 placing into a growth crucible at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, silver, aluminum and nickel;    heating and melting the metal placed in the growth crucible;    growing a single crystal using the metal crystal as a seed by the Czochralski or Bridgman method;    cutting the grown single crystal by electric discharge machining; and forming the cut single crystal into a wire.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the growth crucible is one selected from the group consisting of a graphite crucible, a boron nitride (BN) crucible, an alumina crucible, and a quartz crucible.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the heating of the metal placed in the growth crucible is performed using an RF induction coil or a carbon heater.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the cutting step, the single crystal is formed into a disc shape.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein, after the cutting step, the cut single crystal is formed into a wire by wire-cut electric discharge machining or press machining using a mold having a pattern.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the disc-shaped single crystal is used as a metal single-crystal substrate or a target for metal deposition.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the wire formed by the pressing machining is in the form of a ring.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the cutting step, the single crystal is formed into a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the cylindrical single crystal formed in the cutting step is cut into a ring shape.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , which further comprises, after the cutting step, the step of polishing or wet-etching the single crystal.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the wire is covered with synthetic resin on the outer surface thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the synthetic resin is covered with natural leather on the outer surface thereof.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein both ends of the wire are provided with terminals.  
   
   
       14 . A single crystal wire manufactured by: heating and melting at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, silver, aluminum and nickel; growing a single crystal using the metal crystal as a seed by the Czochralski or Bridgman method; and cutting the grown single crystal.  
   
   
       15 . The single crystal wire of  claim 14 , wherein the cut single crystal is formed into a ring shape.  
   
   
       16 . The single crystal wire of  claim 14 , wherein the cut single crystal is formed into a wire shape for use as a connection cable.  
   
   
       17 . The single crystal wire of  claim 16 , wherein the connection cable formed into the wire shape is covered with synthetic resin on the outer surface thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The single crystal wire of  claim 17 , wherein the synthetic resin is covered with natural leather on the outer surface thereof.  
   
   
       19 . The single crystal wire of  claim 17 , wherein both ends of the connection cable are provided with terminals.