Silicon casting apparatus

Abstract

In a silicon casting apparatus according to the present invention, silicon melted by electromagnetic induction heating is continuously solidified using an electrically-conductive bottomless cold crucible and an induction coil surrounding the cold crucible. The cold crucible is made of copper alloy containing beryllium (desirably containing beryllium of 0.1 to 5 mass %), whereby the generation of electric-discharge flaw can be effectively prevented in performing electromagnetic casting. The use of the silicon casting apparatus according to the present invention can greatly extend a crucible life to reduce facility costs. Additionally, a solar-cell silicon ingot can be produced with high quality.

1 . A silicon casting apparatus in which it includes: (a)an electrically-conductive bottomless cold crucible in which a portion of the cold crucible along its axial direction is divided into a plurality of elements in a circumferential direction; and (b)an induction coil which surrounds the cold crucible, thereby enabling silicon to be melted by electromagnetic induction heating using the induction coil and to be withdrawn downward and solidified,
 wherein the cold crucible is made of copper alloy containing beryllium.   
   
   
       2 . The silicon casting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the copper alloy contains beryllium of 0.1 to 5 mass % 
   
   
       3 . The silicon casting apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicon casting apparatus is used to produce a solar-cell silicon ingot. 
   
   
       4 . The silicon casting apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the silicon casting apparatus is used to produce a solar-cell silicon ingot.