An Integrated Model for Electromagnetic Field and Heat Transfer in a Cylindrical Silicon Tube Growth System

Abstract

Edge-defined Film-fed Growth (EFG) processes are widely used to grow silicon sheets and hollow cylinders of different shapes, e.g., octagon, nonagon and circular. Growth of large diameter silicon tube can bring further advancements in the photovoltaic technology. In the present investigation, a two dimensional axisymmetric numerical model has been developed for a cylindrical silicon tube growth system. The growth furnace is inductively heated. Magnetic vector potential equation and energy equation are solved to obtain the induced magnetic field and temperature distribution in the system. Selected results for magnetic and thermal fields have been presented for a range of parameters. The effect of using graphite afterheater in the system has also been investigated. The goal of the investigation is the system optimization with respect to the temperature field in the global system and the thermal profile in the grown tube.