A method for growing beta phase of gallium oxide (β-Ga.sub.2O.sub.3) single crystals from the melt contained within a metal crucible surrounded by a thermal insulation and heated by a heater. A growth atmosphere provided into a growth furnace has a variable oxygen concentration or partial pressure in such a way that the oxygen concentration reaches a growth oxygen concentration value (C2, C2′, C2″) in the concentration range (SC) of 5-100 vol. % below the melting temperature (MT) of Ga.sub.2O.sub.3 or at the melting temperature (MT) or after complete melting of the Ga.sub.2O.sub.3 starting material adapted to minimize creation of metallic gallium amount and thus eutectic formation with the metal crucible. During the crystal growth step of the β-Ga.sub.2O.sub.3 single crystal from the melt at the growth temperature (GT) the growth oxygen concentration value (C2, C2′, C2″) is maintained within the oxygen concentration range (SC).

A method for growing beta phase of gallium oxide (β-Ga.sub.2O.sub.3) single crystals from the melt contained within a metal crucible surrounded by a thermal insulation and heated by a heater. A growth atmosphere provided into a growth furnace has a variable oxygen concentration or partial pressure in such a way that the oxygen concentration reaches a growth oxygen concentration value (C2, C2′, C2″) in the concentration range (SC) of 5-100 vol. % below the melting temperature (MT) of Ga.sub.2O.sub.3 or at the melting temperature (MT) or after complete melting of the Ga.sub.2O.sub.3 starting material adapted to minimize creation of metallic gallium amount and thus eutectic formation with the metal crucible. During the crystal growth step of the β-Ga.sub.2O.sub.3 single crystal from the melt at the growth temperature (GT) the growth oxygen concentration value (C2, C2′, C2″) is maintained within the oxygen concentration range (SC).

Various single crystals are disclosed including sapphire. The single crystals have desirable geometric properties, including a width not less than about 15 cm and the thickness is not less than about 0.5 cm. The single crystal may also have other features, such as a maximum thickness variation, and as-formed crystals may have a generally symmetrical neck portion, particularly related to the transition from the neck to the main body of the crystal. Methods and for forming such crystals and an apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed as well.

Various single crystals are disclosed including sapphire. The single crystals have desirable geometric properties, including a width not less than about 15 cm and the thickness is not less than about 0.5 cm. The single crystal may also have other features, such as a maximum thickness variation, and as-formed crystals may have a generally symmetrical neck portion, particularly related to the transition from the neck to the main body of the crystal. Methods and for forming such crystals and an apparatus for carrying out the methods are disclosed as well.

Systems and method for creating crystalline parts having a desired primary and secondary crystallographic orientations are provided. One embodiment may take the form of a method of manufacturing a part having a crystalline structure. The method includes melting aluminum oxide and drawing the melted aluminum oxide up a slit. Additionally, the method includes orienting the seed crystal relative to a growth apparatus such that a crystalline structure grows having a desired primary plane and a desired secondary plane orientation. Moreover, the method includes pulling the crystal as it forms to create a ribbon shaped crystalline structure and cutting a part from the crystalline structure.

Systems and method for creating crystalline parts having a desired primary and secondary crystallographic orientations are provided. One embodiment may take the form of a method of manufacturing a part having a crystalline structure. The method includes melting aluminum oxide and drawing the melted aluminum oxide up a slit. Additionally, the method includes orienting the seed crystal relative to a growth apparatus such that a crystalline structure grows having a desired primary plane and a desired secondary plane orientation. Moreover, the method includes pulling the crystal as it forms to create a ribbon shaped crystalline structure and cutting a part from the crystalline structure.

Systems and methods for continuous sapphire growth are disclosed. One embodiment may take the form of a method including feeding a base material into a crucible located within a growth chamber, heating the crucible to melt the base material and initiating crystalline growth in the melted base material to create a crystal structure. Additionally, the method includes pulling the crystal structure away from crucible and feeding the crystal structure out of the growth chamber.

Systems and methods for continuous sapphire growth are disclosed. One embodiment may take the form of a method including feeding a base material into a crucible located within a growth chamber, heating the crucible to melt the base material and initiating crystalline growth in the melted base material to create a crystal structure. Additionally, the method includes pulling the crystal structure away from crucible and feeding the crystal structure out of the growth chamber.

A method and apparatus for the production of C-plane single crystal sapphire is disclosed. The method and apparatus may use edge defined film-fed growth techniques for the production of single crystal material exhibiting low polycrystallinity and/or low dislocation density.

A method and apparatus for the production of C-plane single crystal sapphire is disclosed. The method and apparatus may use edge defined film-fed growth techniques for the production of single crystal material exhibiting low polycrystallinity and/or low dislocation density.