Date: October 9, 2006
Source: KIPO
- The technical trend of patent applications related to single crystal -
As we enter the 21st century, the world is rapidly changing into a society of digital data and ubiquitous access. In the center of this change lies the semiconductor industry, a driving force for the world’s economy., Endless efforts must be made to develop advanced technology that supports continuous advancement of the industry. Due to the drastic growth of the next-generation semiconductor industry, the number of patent applications is increasing related to making/growing a flawless single crystal.
A single crystal is a solid where every atom or molecule in the solid is arranged in an order that follows a certain crystallization axis. Generally, to make a single crystal, a single solid core should be created within a melted liquid, and a growing process should take place around this core. In other words, a small solid seed should be soaked in the surface of melted liquid. Then, the seed should be pulled up slowly to create a single solid ingot which has the same crystallization direction as the small seed.
According to the material used, single crystals have properties such as piezoelectricity, light penetration, and light emission. For this reason, they are often used in oscillators or lasers. Most of all, single crystals are used in semiconductor wafers.
Highlights of patent applications trends related to growing single crystals:
· During the 6 years from 2000 to 2005, the overall number of applications related to growing single crystals was 582. Starting from 85 applications in the year 2000, the number steadily increased, reaching more than 100 per year after 2004.
· Among the overall 582 applications, 61.7% (359 applications) were filed by foreigners, and 38.3% (223 applications) by domestic applicants. The number of domestic applications was merely 27 in 2000. The number increased to 36 in 2003, and to 46 in 2005. This growth represents the high interest of native applicants towards single crystal growth technology (Attachment 1).
Highlights of the technical field of patent applications related to growing single crystals:
- Among the overall 582 applications filed between 2000 and 2005 (6 years), 50.2% (292 applications) were related to growing single crystals in a liquid state, 30.6% (178 applications) were related to a homogeneous single crystal material, and 11.2% (65 applications) were related to growing single crystal in a vapor state (Attachment 2).
Prospects
The use of semiconductors is expanding from computer and mobile phones to digital home appliances, automobiles, robots, and network devices.
This expansion naturally demands high-quality single crystals, and to fulfill the demands, companies manufacturing single crystals and semiconductor wafers are making efforts to develop an improved method of growing single crystals. Related patent applications to secure developed technologies are expected to increase continuously.