1. Breakthroughs in High-Purity Material Preparation
Silicon-Based Materials: The purity of silicon single crystals has surpassed 13N (99.9999999999%) using the floating zone (FZ) method, significantly enhancing the performance of high-power semiconductor devices (e.g., IGBTs) and advanced chips45. This technology reduces oxygen contamination through a crucible-free process and integrates silane CVD and modified Siemens methods to achieve efficient production of zone-melting-grade polysilicon47.
Germanium Materials: Optimized zone melting purification has elevated germanium purity to 13N, with improved impurity distribution coefficients, enabling applications in infrared optics and radiation detectors23. However, interactions between molten germanium and equipment materials at high temperatures remain a critical challenge23.
2. Innovations in Process and Equipment
Dynamic Parameter Control: Adjustments to melt zone movement speed, temperature gradients, and protective gas environments—coupled with real-time monitoring and automated feedback systems—have enhanced process stability and repeatability while minimizing interactions between germanium/silicon and equipment27.
Polysilicon Production: Novel scalable methods for zone-melting-grade polysilicon address oxygen content control challenges in traditional processes, reducing energy consumption and boosting yield47.
3. Technology Integration and Cross-Disciplinary Applications
Melt Crystallization Hybridization: Low-energy melt crystallization techniques are being integrated to optimize organic compound separation and purification, expanding zone melting applications in pharmaceutical intermediates and fine chemicals6.
Third-Generation Semiconductors: Zone melting is now applied to wide-bandgap materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), supporting high-frequency and high-temperature devices. For example, liquid-phase single-crystal furnace technology enables stable SiC crystal growth via precise temperature control15.
4. Diversified Application Scenarios
Photovoltaics: Zone-melting-grade polysilicon is used in high-efficiency solar cells, achieving photoelectric conversion efficiencies over 26% and driving advancements in renewable energy4.
Infrared and Detector Technologies: Ultra-high-purity germanium enables miniaturized, high-performance infrared imaging and night-vision devices for military, security, and civilian markets23.
5. Challenges and Future Directions
Impurity Removal Limits: Current methods struggle with removing light-element impurities (e.g., boron, phosphorus), necessitating new doping processes or dynamic melt zone control technologies25.
Equipment Durability and Energy Efficiency: Research focuses on developing high-temperature-resistant, corrosion-resistant crucible materials and radiofrequency heating systems to reduce energy consumption and extend equipment lifespan. Vacuum arc remelting (VAR) technology shows promise for metal refinement47.
Zone melting technology is advancing toward higher purity, lower cost, and broader applicability, solidifying its role as a cornerstone in semiconductors, renewable energy, and optoelectronics
Post time: Mar-26-2025