Linton Crystal Technologies has begun manufacturing new germanium Czochralski (CZ) process crystal growers. The company’s CG6000 model grower has been used in germanium ingot growth for more than 20 years. (Germanium is commonly used in the manufacture of high-precision optics.) Linton has updated that model and now offers two larger systems capable of growing ingots up to 300 mm.

“In rolling out these new offerings, we’ve combined our CZ process expertise and the experience we already have working with germanium with our latest engineering advancements,” says Ronald Kramer, director of business development for Linton.

The KX240-Ge Germanium CZ Grower has an 1100 mm tank with a 24-inch hot zone and charge size up to 450 kg.

The KX320-Ge features a 1300 mm furnace tank, can accommodate either a 28- or 32-inch hot zone, and has a charge size of up to 800 kg.

The newly redesigned CG6000-Ge has a 762 mm furnace tank, an 18-inch hot zone and a charge size up to 120kg.

Each germanium grower comes standard with all LCT’s CZ control systems, and all have an optional dopant fixture. Shipping of the new machines began in the second quarter of 2020.

Linton is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of equipment for producing monocrystalline ingots for the solar, semiconductor and specialty materials industries. The company specializes in silicon and produces equipment for materials such as germanium and gallium arsenide. They also provide technical support, process engineering support and replacement parts to help clients get businesses off the ground, improve productivity and continue to innovate.