Cleaning of CVD reactor used in the production of polycrystalline silicon by impacting with carbon dioxide pellets
First Claim
1. A process for cleaning the surfaces of a chemical vapor deposition reactor, the process comprising:
- impacting silicon deposits on the inner surfaces of a reactor used in chemical vapor deposition of a source gas selected from a group consisting of silane and halosilane to form polycrystalline silicon, with carbon dioxide pellets to effect dislodgment of the silicon deposits.
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Abstract
The present invention is a process for the cleaning of the inner surfaces of a chemical vapor deposition reactor used in the production of polycrystalline silicon. The process comprises impacting the surfaces to be cleaned with solid carbon dioxide pellets. The carbon dioxide pellets dislodge silicon deposits from the surface of the reactor without damaging the surface of the reactor and without providing a source for contamination of polycrystalline silicon produced in the cleaned reactor. The present process is particularly useful for the cleaning of the inner surfaces of chemical vapor deposition reactors used in the production of semi-conductor grade silicon.
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10 Claims
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1. A process for cleaning the surfaces of a chemical vapor deposition reactor, the process comprising:
- impacting silicon deposits on the inner surfaces of a reactor used in chemical vapor deposition of a source gas selected from a group consisting of silane and halosilane to form polycrystalline silicon, with carbon dioxide pellets to effect dislodgment of the silicon deposits.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Specification