Single crystal wire and manufacturing method of the same

• US 20070169857A1
• Filed: 03/21/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Pusan National University
• Original Assignee: Pusan National University
• Inventors: Park, Sang Eon, Kim, Sung Kyu, Cho, Chae Ryong, Jeong, Se Young
• Application Number:
  US11/726,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20070169857A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 148/562
• CPC Class Codes: C22B 11/02 by dry processes
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 11/00 Single-crystal growth by normal freezing or freezing under temperature gradient, e.g. Bridgman-Stockbarger method C30B13/00, C30B15/00, C30B17/00, C30B19/00 take precedence; under a protective fluid C30B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 11/14 characterised by the seed, e.g. its crystallographic orientation
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 15/00 Single-crystal growth by pulling from a melt, e.g. Czochralski method under a protective fluid C30B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 15/36 characterised by the seed, e.g. its crystallographic orientation
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 29/02 Elements
• CPC Class Codes: C30B 29/62 Whiskers or needles

Abstract

Disclosed are a single crystal wire and a manufacturing method thereof. The method comprises the steps of: placing into a growth crucible at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, silver, aluminum and nickel; heating and melting the metal placed in the growth crucible; growing a single crystal using the metal crystal as a seed by the Czochralski or Bridgmari method; cutting the grown single crystal by electric discharge machining; and forming the cut single crystal into a wire. In the method, the grown metal single crystal is formed into a disc-shaped piece by electric discharge machining. The piece is formed into a single crystal wire by wire-cut electric discharge machining, and the single crystal wire can be used as a ring, a pendant or a wire within a high-quality cable making a connection in audio and video systems. Also, the single crystal formed into the disc-shaped piece by electric discharge machining can be used as a substrate and a target for deposition.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a single crystal wire, comprising the steps of:

placing into a growth crucible at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, silver, aluminum and nickel;

heating and melting the metal placed in the growth crucible;

growing a single crystal using the metal crystal as a seed by the Czochralski or Bridgman method;

cutting the grown single crystal by electric discharge machining; and

forming the cut single crystal into a wire.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the growth crucible is one selected from the group consisting of a graphite crucible, a boron nitride (BN) crucible, an alumina crucible, and a quartz crucible.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the heating of the metal placed in the growth crucible is performed using an RF induction coil or a carbon heater.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the cutting step, the single crystal is formed into a disc shape.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, after the cutting step, the cut single crystal is formed into a wire by wire-cut electric discharge machining or press machining using a mold having a pattern.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the disc-shaped single crystal is used as a metal single-crystal substrate or a target for metal deposition.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the wire formed by the pressing machining is in the form of a ring.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, in the cutting step, the single crystal is formed into a cylindrical shape.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the cylindrical single crystal formed in the cutting step is cut into a ring shape.

10. The method of claim 1, which further comprises, after the cutting step, the step of polishing or wet-etching the single crystal.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein the wire is covered with synthetic resin on the outer surface thereof.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the synthetic resin is covered with natural leather on the outer surface thereof.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein both ends of the wire are provided with terminals.

14. A single crystal wire manufactured by:

heating and melting at least one metal selected from the group consisting of gold, copper, silver, aluminum and nickel;

growing a single crystal using the metal crystal as a seed by the Czochralski or Bridgman method; and

cutting the grown single crystal.

15. The single crystal wire of claim 14, wherein the cut single crystal is formed into a ring shape.

16. The single crystal wire of claim 14, wherein the cut single crystal is formed into a wire shape for use as a connection cable.

17. The single crystal wire of claim 16, wherein the connection cable formed into the wire shape is covered with synthetic resin on the outer surface thereof.

18. The single crystal wire of claim 17, wherein the synthetic resin is covered with natural leather on the outer surface thereof.

19. The single crystal wire of claim 17, wherein both ends of the connection cable are provided with terminals.