ENCLOSED CRYSTAL GROWTH
Various single crystals are disclosed including sapphire as well as methods of forming the same. A method of forming a crystalline structure is disclosed as well. The method can include providing a melt in a crucible having a die. The die can include a ventilation opening. The method can further include growing the crystalline structure from the die using an enclosed seed. The single crystals can have desirable geometric properties, including a length greater than a diameter greater than a thickness.
1 . A crystalline structure, comprising:
a body having a length of greater than 2 inches; and
a cover, wherein the body and cover are a single crystal.
2 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the crystalline structure comprises a native interior and exterior surface, and wherein the interior surface is unmodified from growth.
3 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the cover is not bonded to the body of the crystalline structure.
4 . The crystalline structure of claim 3 , wherein a transition zone between the cover and the body of the crystalline structure does not contain seams.
5 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the body of the crystalline structure is grown from the cover of the crystalline structure.
6 . The crystalline structure of claim 5 , wherein an outer diameter of the crystalline structure is greater than 0.5 inches.
7 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the cover is grown from a crystalline seed, and wherein the crystalline seed is a circular substrate.
8 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the cover is grown from a crystalline seed, and wherein the crystalline seed is polygonal substrate.
9 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the crystalline structure is square.
10 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the crystalline structure has a length, a width, and a thickness, wherein the length>width>thickness.
11 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the body and the cover together form an enclosed crystalline structure.
12 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein the crystalline structure is hollow.
13 . The crystalline structure of claim 10 , where the width is greater than 0.5 inches.
14 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , where the crystalline structure is a single crystalline structure.
15 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , where the body is not machined.
16 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , where the crystalline structure is sapphire.
17 . The crystalline structure of claim 11 , where the enclosed crystalline structure is a tube.
18 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the crystalline structure can be greater than greater than 5 inches.
19 . The crystalline structure of claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the crystalline structure can be no greater than 10 inches.
20 . The crystalline structure of claim 10 , wherein the thickness is between 0 mm and 20 mm.