Linton Crystal Technologies has grown ingots larger than 5M in its newest Czochralski (CZ) process crystal grower, the KX380PV. This is the largest ingot grown in the solar industry to date and represents a game changer for customers looking to optimize productivity and efficiency. As with all Linton Crystal growers, the new machine can be tailored to meet customers’ specifications.

“We’re excited to offer customers a CZ grower capable of producing ingots of 5M and more at a time when the industry is eager for larger wafers to produce more powerful cells,” says John R. Syring, senior sales and process engineer with Linton. “Because we were able to repeatedly grow quality ingots of this size in our research and development center, we can ensure customers will be able to do the same in a production environment. We also have the firsthand knowledge necessary to help them through their first growing processes with the machine.”

The KX380PV has the largest furnace chamber, 1600 mm in diameter, capable of accommodating 32- or 36-inch crucibles (charge sizes up to 440kg and 850kg, respectively). It has a 400mm throat size and its tall receiving chamber (5500mm) can pull five-meter crystals; the size can be adapted to customer specifications. Additionally, the large charge size allows for high conversion yield of silicon for good economical operation, while also increasing throughput and reducing operational costs.

It also features an advanced control system and low power consumption to help customers increase productivity and efficiency. The grower can support integrated communications with the optional Web Integrated Grower Supervisor (WINGS) for remote furnace management and data collection.

A highly reliable grower, it can sustain long run times with less need for intervention by an operator. This will enable a company to have fewer operators overall on the factory floor.

Linton is the world leader in the design, development, and manufacture of equipment for producing monocrystalline ingots for the solar and semiconductor industries. The company specializes in silicon and produces equipment for materials such as germanium and gallium arsenide. They also provide technical support, process engineering support, and replacement parts to help clients get businesses off the ground, improve productivity and continue to innovate. Linton is the exclusive owner of Kayex IP, acquired in 2013.