Document Type
Patent
Publication Date
8-9-1994
Patent Number
patent number 5336360
Abstract
A method of making pure fibers from a parent material utilizing laser energy. A short wavelength laser is used to achieve a diffraction limited focal spot diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the growing fiber. Focused laser beam convergence is used to obtain a fiber growth rate that depends on the fiber tip portion such that the fiber growth rate achieves a value equal to the controlled fiber pulling rate. The present invention achieves vapor-liquid-solid growth of single crystal silicon fibers and whiskers from silane gas and permits the use of other materials in the production of fibers by the vapor-liquid-solid process. The method provides an increase in the allowable ambient pressure and growth temperature and a large and more energy efficient growth velocity as compared to carbon dioxide based laser beam technology.
Application Number
07/835292
Assignees
Clemson University (Clemson, SC)
Filing Date
1992-02-13
Primary/U.S. Class
117/75
Other/U.S. Class
117/904, 117/928, 117/929, 117/931, 117/936, 117/937, 117/951, 117/952, 423/276, 423/447.3