Abstract:
Fine-grained polycrystalline semi-conductor bodies of chalcogenides are produced by directional solidification under the influence of sonic vibrations in the range of about 500 to about 10,000 Hz. The charge material is disposed in a container that is secured within a heat susceptor assembly and is melted inductively by operation of RF heating means positioned proximate to the susceptor assembly. The susceptor assembly is mechanically coupled to an electrodynamic vibrator unit so that vibrations produced by the vibrator unit are transmitted to the melt by way of the susceptor assembly and the walls of the melt container. Solidification is achieved by progressively reducing the temperature of the melt while maintaining a vertical temperature gradient across the melt container, the gradient being such that solidification proceeds upwardly in the melt.