Operation and crystalline properties of electromagnetic casting

For the development of the electromagnetic casting (EMC), it was proposed to produce a 220/spl times/220 mm/sup 2/ cross sectional silicon ingot with high speed casting, making stable solid-liquid interface, with high crystalline properties of the ingot. The casting speed reached 3.0 mm/min. It was found that photovoltaic conversion efficiencies were unchanged when casting speed ranged from 1.0/spl sim/3.0 mm/min. The distribution of photovoltaic conversion efficiency in the axial direction of casting was very uniform. From the measurement of diffusion length of the crystal, it was concluded that the electromagnetic casting technology was equal to the conventional casting technology in the crystalline properties. Measurement of grain size was also performed.