Krystalix specializes in the production of monocrystals for industrial applications. Its cutting-edge approach promises to reshape the industry. The start-up has already secured a substantial €360,000 in funding from Bpifrance.
The Challenges of Traditional Monocrystal Production
Monocrystals, whether silicon-based for microelectronics or other materials for applications like lasers and detectors, play a vital role in various industries. The conventional industrial production method involves melting the raw material in a crucible and introducing a monocrystalline ‘seed’ for controlled solidification.
However, this process faces two critical challenges. Firstly, the raw material’s melting point cannot surpass that of the crucible material. Secondly, the risk of material contamination from crucible residues due to heat poses a significant concern. Besides, industrial crucibles, typically made of expensive materials like platinum or iridium, have seen a fivefold cost increase in 2019.
How Krystalix’s Groundbreaking Innovation Could Revolutionize the Process
To address the soaring costs, Kader Zaidat, a researcher at SIMaP (Science and Engineering of Materials and Processes Institute in France) and the CEO of Krystalix, along with his team, developed an induction-based tool. The crucible, threaded with electromagnetic fields, is composed of water-cooled metallic fingers.
In a press release, Zaidat explained,
“This allows materials to reach 3000 degrees without the crucible temperature exceeding 50°C.”
Not only does this resolve contamination issues by keeping the crucible material cool, but it also significantly reduces the overall energy consumption of the process by directly heating the material.
To counter electromagnetic turbulence within the liquid, which could disrupt the calm environment necessary for monocrystal formation, scientists placed permanent magnets inside the crucible, creating a kind of magnetic brake.
According to Zaidat,
“This eliminates the flow right where it is generated.”
The Advantages of Krystalix’s Technology
Krystalix’s revolutionary magnetic cold crucible monocrystal growth technology brings forth a myriad of advantages.
Firstly, it allows for the creation of crystals with enhanced purity and more uniform dopants, which will increase crystal quality.
The energy and time savings inherent in the growth process contribute not only to efficiency but also signify a leap forward in traditional monocrystal manufacturing.
This new technique also facilitates the production of crystals that were previously inaccessible through conventional methods, such as monocrystals of rare earth oxides.
This approach stands in stark contrast to the use of expensive noble materials, thus reducing overall crystal production costs.
Moreover, the extended lifespan of manufacturing equipment is a noteworthy outcome attributed to the induction-based process featuring copper-cooled sectors. Krystalix’s technology can therefore be considered as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the industry.
Applications
The successful demonstration of the process on 2-inch diameter silicon ingots showcases the feasibility and practicality of Krystalix’s magnetic cold crucible monocrystal growth method.
The applications are far-reaching, spanning high-power lasers like Sapphire Titanium and YAG, scintillator-based detectors (LYSO, BGO, GGG), high-frequency antennas for 5G+, 6G, and beyond (BZTZ), optoelectronics (Si), and power electronics (Ga2O3).
A preliminary fundraising round is set to commence within two years to fund the construction of a production facility.
