Quasi-monocrystalline silicon for low-noise end mirrors in cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors

Mirrors made of silicon have been proposed for use in future cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors, which will be significantly more sensitive than current room-temperature detectors. These mirrors are planned to have diameters of ≈50 cm and a mass of ≈200 kg. While single-crystalline float-zone silicon meets the requirements of low optical absorption and low mechanical loss, the production of this type of material is restricted to sizes much smaller than required. Here we present studies of silicon produced by directional solidification. This material can be grown as quasi-monocrystalline ingots in sizes larger than currently required. We present measurements of a low room-temperature and cryogenic mechanical loss comparable with float-zone silicon. While the optical absorption of our test sample is significantly higher than required, the low mechanical loss motivates research into further absorption reduction in the future. While it is unclear if material pure enough for the transmissive detector input mirrors can be achieved, an absorption level suitable for the highly reflective coated end mirrors seems realistic. Together with the potential to produce samples much larger than ≈50 cm, this material may be of great benefit for realizing silicon-based gravitational-wave detectors

Growth and characterization of phosphorus-doped silicon for photovoltaic application directionally solidified under the influence of different process conditions

In dieser Arbeit werden Möglichkeiten zur Homogenisierung von Widerstandsprofilen entlang von phosphordotierten, gerichtet erstarrten, multikristallinen Silizium (mc-Si) Blöcken für PV-Anwendungen untersucht. Die im Rahmen der Dissertation durchgeführte analytische Untersuchung konzentriert sich auf den Phosphortransport in der Siliziumschmelze, an der Grenzfläche zwischen Kristall und Schmelze, an der Schmelzenoberfläche und in der Gasphase oberhalb der Schmelze. Es wurden drei Prozessparameter identifiziert, die den stärksten Einfluss auf die Phosphorverteilung in multikristallinen Blöcken haben: die Durchmischung der Schmelze, der Gesamtgasdruck in der Anlage und der Gasfluss über der Schmelze. Variationen in der Stärke der TMF sind sinnvoll, um die Phosphorverteilung entlang der Barrenhöhe zu beeinflussen. Ein schwaches TMF bewirkt eine gleichmäßigere Dotierstoffverteilung und führt zu einem verringerten spezifischen Widerstand des Blocks in den Anfangsstadien der Kristallisation, während ein starkes TMF einen signifikanten Effekt auf die Phosphorverdampfung hat und zu einem Anstieg des spezifischen Widerstandes zum Ende des Blocks hin führt. Die Ergebnisse der Experimente zeigten, dass die Verringerung des Gasdrucks zu einer deutlich verstärkten Phosphorverdampfung von der freien Schmelzenoberfläche führt und damit den spezifischen Widerstand des erstarrten Blocks erhöht, vor allem gegen dessen Ende hin. Die während der Studie gewonnenen Erkenntnisse wurden für die Optimierung der typischen G1-Wachstumsrezeptur verwendet. Die mit diesem Rezept gezüchteten G1 mc-Si Blöcke zeigen eine gleichmäßigere Widerstandsverteilung als solche, die mit einem typischen Rezept gezüchtet wurden. Die Widerstandsvariation wurde auf 55 % verringert und erfüllte den von der Marktspezifikation vorgegebenen Zielbereich von 3,0 - 1,0 Ω·cm. Die entwickelte Rezeptur wurde erfolgreich für die gerichtete Erstarrung mit Keimvorgabe übertragen.The research described in this thesis is focused on homogenization of resistivity profiles along phosphorus-doped directionally solidified multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) ingots for PV application. The analytical study conducted within the framework of the thesis is focused on phosphorus transport in the silicon melt, at the crystal-melt interface, at the melt surface and in the gaseous phase above the melt. Three process parameters were identified to have the most dominant influence on phosphorus distribution in multicrystalline ingots: melt mixing, furnace ambient gas pressure and gas flow above the melt. It was found that variations in strength of TMF could be used to control the phosphorus distribution along the ingot’s length. Weak TMF provokes more uniform dopant distribution and results in decreased ingot resistivity at the initial stages of crystallization, while strong TMF has more prominent effect on phosphorus evaporation that leads to the increase of resistivity towards the ingot’s end. The results of experiments demonstrated that reduction of ambient gas pressure leads to significantly intensified phosphorus evaporation from the free melt surface and increases the resistivity of the solidified ingot, especially towards its end. The findings obtained during the study were used for the adjustment of the typical G1 growth recipe. Conventional G1 mc-Si ingots grown using this recipe show more uniform resistivity distribution than those grown using a typical one. Resistivity variation was reduced to 55% and met the target range of 3.0 – 1.0 Ω·cm set by market specification. The developed recipe was successfully replicated for directional solidification seeded growth

Quasi-monocrystalline silicon for low-noise end mirrors in cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors

Mirrors made of silicon have been proposed for use in future cryogenic gravitational-wave detectors, which will be significantly more sensitive than current room-temperature detectors. These mirrors are planned to have diameters of ≈ 50 ,cm and a mass of ≈ 200 ,kg. While single-crystalline float zone silicon meets the requirements of low optical absorption and low mechanical loss, the production of this type of material is restricted to sizes much smaller than required. Here we present studies of silicon produced by directional solidification. This material can be grown as quasi-monocrystalline ingots in sizes larger than currently required. We present measurements of a low room-temperature and cryogenic mechanical loss comparable to float zone silicon. While the optical absorption of our test sample is significantly higher than required, the low mechanical loss motivates research into further absorption reduction in the future. While it is unclear if material pure enough for the transmissive detector input mirrors can be achieved, an absorption level suitable for the highly-reflective coated end mirrors seems realistic. Together with the potential to produce samples much larger than ≈ 50 ,cm, this material may be of great benefit for realizing silicon-based gravitational-wave detectors