Bridgman-Stockbarge process

The next step is to produce nearly perfect single-crystal boules of silicon from the ultrapure polycrystalline silicon. Many techniques have been developed to accomplish this, and they all rely on a similar set of concepts that describe the transport process, thermodynamically controlled solubility, and kinetics [8]. Three important methods are the vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger, Czochralski, and floating zone processes, fully described in Fundamentals of Crystal Growth by Rosenberger [9]. 

The primary advantage to the Bridgman-Stockbarger method is the ability to control the solidification rate, the position and shape of the solidification front, and the thermal gradient at the solidification front. It is also an important research tool for studying the details of various aspects of the solidification process individually and in a controlled manner so that we can learn the rules needed to imderstand and control the more complicated processes. 

Stockbarger, D.C. (1936) The production of large single crystals of lithium fluoride, Rev. Sci. Instr. 7, 133. Described improvements to the Bridgman process. 

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