THE CZOCHRALSKI METHOD (CZ): HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT
E. P. Mayanov, Akhmedali A. Gasanov, Arkady V. Naumov · Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii Materialy Elektronnoi Tekhniki = Materials of Electronics Engineering · 2018
60 years ago, in July, 1956, the USSR’s first industrial germanium single crystal was grown up by the Czochralski (CZ) method. The method of growing single crystals according to Czochralski is the most widespread one currently used for obtaining bulk single crystals. The high technical implementation level and the high extent of process automation make this method the most preferable one for the production of bulk single crystals, e.g. silicon, germanium, a number of oxide crystals and multicomponent compounds. This article offers a historical review of the emergence and distribution of this method from the time of his invention by Jan Czochralski in 1916 and up to now. It is noted that in foreseeable future the CZ method will remain the leading method of producing bulk single crystals for a wide range of materials in the industry and in scientific developments. The main stages of the development of this method in the USSR and in Russia are presented. Comparison between the levels of foreign and domestic developments in the field of equipment design and in the field of technology development is carried out. Current problems and the development prospects of the method are discussed. Russia currently has an increasing lag from the world–class industrial practice of growing single crystals for a number of important materials e.g. silicon, gallium arsenide, indium antimonite etc.. Scope of actions required from the state, professional community and development institutions are suggested.