LAMINATE ARTICLE HAVING A NON-GLASS CORE AND GLASS ENVELOPE AND METHODS THEREOF

Abstract

A laminate sheet article including: a core including an electrical semi-conductor or an electrical conductor; and a continuous glass clad layer on at least four of six sides the core of the sheet article. Also disclosed is an apparatus for making a sheet laminate article as defined herein. Also disclosed is a method of making and using the article.

Description

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to a laminate article having a non-glass core and a glass envelope around the non-glass core and methods thereof, i.e., laminate sheet articles including a non-glass core and a glass clad surround.

SUMMARY

In embodiments, the disclosure provides an apparatus for making a fully enveloped laminate sheet article having a non-glass core layer and at least one glass clad layer surrounding the non-glass core layer.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides an improved double crucible apparatus and method of making a fully glass enveloped, laminate sheet article having one or a plurality of non-glass cores and at least one glass clad layer surrounding the one or the plurality of non-glass cores.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a method for making a laminate sheet article comprising a slot draw portion for producing a non-glass core layer and a fusion draw portion for producing a glass clad envelope surrounding the non-glass core layer.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides an article having a non-glass core layer and a glass clad envelope surrounding the non-glass core layer.

In embodiments, the non-glass core layer can be, for example, a semiconductor and the glass clad envelope surrounding the non-glass core layer can be, for example, a low melting glass or glass ceramic.

In some embodiments, a laminate sheet article comprises a core layer comprising an electrical semi-conductor or an electrical conductor; and a glass clad layer envelope surrounding, in cross-section, the major faces and at least two edges of the core.

In some implementations, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the core layer and the clad layer have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) difference of less than from ±5×10⁻⁷/° C.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, an exterior of the major faces of the glass clad are pristine.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the core layer is at least one of Si, Ge, GaAs, or a mixture thereof, and has a melt viscosity of from 0.01 poise to 100 poise; and the glass clad layer surrounding the core comprises a glass having a melt viscosity of from 30,000 poise to 400,000 poise, and has a CTE compatible with the core material.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the core layer has a thickness of from 0.1 microns to 100 millimeters and a width of from 0.09 microns to 9.99 meters; and the glass clad layer surrounding the core has a layer thickness of from 0.1 microns to 1,000 microns, and a layer width of from 0.1 mm to 10 meters.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, a glass core comprising a halide glass, an oxyhalide glass, a chalcogenide glass, or a mixture thereof; and an enveloping glass clad layer on each major face of the core and at least two ends or edges of the sheet article.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the glass core and the enveloping glass clad layer has a melting point difference of from 0° C. to about 400° C.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, a lamination apparatus for making an article described herein comprises: a first crucible that extrudes a sheet of the core layer; and a second crucible surrounding the first crucible that delivers a glass envelope layer to each face and at least two edges of the sheet of the core layer to produce the laminate sheet article, wherein the relative height of at least one or both of the first crucible and second crucible is vertically adjustable with respect to the other crucible.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the vertically adjustability of the relative height of the at least one or both of the first crucible and second crucible regulates relative flow and relative thickness, width, or both of the core layer, and relative flow and relative thickness of the glass envelope layer.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the first crucible, the second crucible, or both crucibles, comprise platinum; and the first crucible, the second crucible, or both crucibles, comprise an erosion protective quartz surface coating.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the lamination apparatus further comprises a cooling wand, a cooling roller, a cooling fluid jet, or a combination thereof, situated on one or both of the major faces of the resulting laminate sheet article.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, a method of making a continuous laminate sheet, the sheet comprising: a core comprising at least one of an electrical semiconductor material, an electrical conductor material, or a combination thereof; and a clad layer comprising a glass surrounding at least four of six sides of the core; the method comprises: continuously slot extruding a sheet of the core and simultaneously and continuously fusion drawing the glass clad layer onto at least four of six sides including both major sides of the core sheet to produce the continuous laminate sheet having an envelope structure.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the method further comprises: zone refining the continuous laminate sheet to enhance crystallinity of the core.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the method further comprises: rolling the continuous laminate sheet into a roll, or cutting the continuous laminate sheet into individual sheets.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, slot extruding is accomplished in a vacuum, in an inert atmosphere, under positive pressure, or a combination thereof.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the core comprises at least one of Si, Ge, GaAs, or a mixture thereof, and has a viscosity of from 0.01 centipoise to 5,000 centipoise; and the glass clad layer surrounding the core has a viscosity of from 30,000 poise to 400,000 poise, and a CTE compatible with the core material.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the core has a thickness of from 0.1 microns to 100 millimeters and a width of from 0.09 mm to 9.99 meters; and the glass clad layer surrounding the core has a thickness of from 0.1 to 1,000 microns, and a width of from 0.1 mm to 10 meters.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, slot extruding is accomplished above the melting point of the core; and fusion drawing is accomplished above the melting point of the glass.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, a width of the glass clad layer is greater than a width of the core.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the glass clad layer is an envelope completely surrounding the core on both major faces and on at least one edge or end.

In some implementation, which is combinable with any of the other aspects or embodiments, the glass clad layer is an envelope completely surrounding the core on both major faces and on all edges and ends.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In embodiments of the disclosure:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic in cross-section of an example PRIOR ART laminate structure (100) produced in a double fusion laminating apparatus having a core (110) and a clad (120) on each face of the core.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show schematics in cross-section of examples of the disclosed slot drawn-fusion sheets or laminate envelope structures.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic in perspective of an example a combined slot draw and fusion draw apparatus of the disclosure.

FIGS. 4A and 4B shows the cross-sections of a PRIOR ART double fusion apparatus (4A) and the PRIOR ART apparatus schematic of FIG. 3 (4B).

FIG. 5 shows a schematic in perspective of an example of the disclosed vertically adjustable double crucible slot draw laminating apparatus and cross section view 5A and 5B.

FIGS. 6A to 6D show views of the disclosed vertically adjustable double crucible slot draw perspective schematic of FIG. 5.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show images of two of the disclosed glass clad enveloped core samples having comparable outer dimensions and different core dimensions.

FIGS. 8A and 8B, respectively, show side or elevation views of the disclosed slot drawn-fusion sheets of FIGS. 2A and 2B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to drawings, if any. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments of the claimed invention.

Definitions

“Include,” “includes,” or like terms means encompassing but not limited to, that is, inclusive and not exclusive.

“About” modifying, for example, the quantity of an ingredient in a composition, article, or apparatus, concentrations, volumes, process temperature, process time, yields, flow rates, pressures, viscosities, and like values, and ranges thereof, or a dimension of a component, and like values, and ranges thereof, employed in describing the embodiments of the disclosure, refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example: through typical measuring and handling procedures used for preparing materials, compositions, composites, concentrates, component parts, articles of manufacture, or use formulations; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of starting materials or ingredients used to carry out the methods; and like considerations. The term “about” also encompasses amounts that differ due to aging of a composition or formulation with a particular initial concentration or mixture, and amounts that differ due to mixing or processing a composition or formulation with a particular initial concentration or mixture.

“Optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where the event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The indefinite article “a” or “an” and its corresponding definite article “the” as used herein means at least one, or one or more, unless specified otherwise.

Abbreviations, which are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, may be used (e.g., “h” or “hrs” for hour or hours, “g” or “gm” for gram(s), “mL” for milliliters, and “rt” for room temperature, “nm” for nanometers, and like abbreviations).

Specific and preferred values disclosed for components, ingredients, additives, dimensions, conditions, times, and like aspects, and ranges thereof, are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values within defined ranges. The apparatus, articles, and methods of the disclosure can include any value or any combination of the values, specific values, more specific values, and preferred values described herein, including explicit or implicit intermediate values and ranges.

Documents of interest include, for example:

The above mentioned commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,514,149, entitled “High-strength laminated sheet for optical applications, mentions at cols. 13 to 14, a combination fusion and slot draw apparatus, see also FIGS. 15 and 16.

JP2002003981A, entitled “Apparatus for manufacturing of laminated amorphous composite material by rapid solidification” shows an apparent double crucible apparatus for producing either a cylindrical or sheet product having a non-glass core and a glass clad layer on the core, where 22 is the core and 21 and 23 are the glass clad layers at least in FIG. 4(a) therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,901, mentions glass laminates in semiconductor devices comprising a non-glass support such as paper or metal between two glass layers, with or without an adhesive layer (see col. 4).

U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,400, to Tick, mentions an apparatus and method of forming a glass preform from core and cladding glasses having low liquidus viscosities and narrow working ranges. The apparatus and method can prevent mixing of the liquid core and clad composite.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,897,100, mentions an apparatus and process for fiberizing clad and core fluoride glasses using a double crucible and the compositions produced.

Silicon based electronic components or articles can be made, for example, almost exclusively in a conventional planar wafer format. The planar wafer format can be used for the production of various junction-based architectures. In contrast, a vertical wafer format is less common. If a vertical architecture could be scaled and readily implemented, such a process could provide an advantaged route to produce semiconductor based devices.

The Corelle™ process pioneered by Corning, Inc., has produced laminate sheets having some extraordinary strength properties. More recently, Corning, Inc., has produced glass core and glass clad laminates by a double fusion draw apparatus having two fusion pipes. However, using two fusion pipes can have a drawback because both the core (interior glass) and clad (exterior glass) have to be fusion compatible. So that only glasses typically having a liquidus viscosities, for example, above 200,000 poises work satisfactorily in the double fusion draw apparatus.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides an apparatus for making a laminate sheet or laminate article having a semi-conductive core and a glass clad that envelopes or surrounds the core.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of making a continuous laminate sheet, the sheet comprising: a core comprising at least one of an electrical semiconductor material, an electrical conductor material, or a combination thereof; and a clad layer comprising a glass surrounding at least four sides, five sides, or all six sides of the core, i.e., the entire core;

the method comprising: continuously slot extruding a sheet of the core and simultaneously and continuously fusion drawing glass clad layers onto each of the major faces or major sides and each of the minor edges of the core sheet to produce the continuous laminate sheet having an envelope structure.

In embodiments, the method can further comprise zone refining the continuous laminate sheet to enhance the crystallinity of the core, for example, to produce a single crystalline semi-conductive core.

In embodiments, the method can further comprise rolling the continuous laminate sheet into a roll, or cutting the continuous sheet into individual sheets or sections.

In embodiments, simultaneously extruding and drawing can be accomplished, for example, in a vacuum, under pressure, in an inert atmosphere, or combinations thereof.

In embodiments, the core can comprise at least one of Si, Ge, GaAs, or a mixture thereof, and has a viscosity of from 0.01 to 5,000 centipoise, for example, of from 0.5 to 1,000 centipoise, 1 to 500 centipoise, 10 to 100 centipoise, and like viscosities, including intermediate values and ranges; and

the glass clad layer surrounding the core can comprise, for example, a glass having a viscosity of from 30,000 to 400,000 poise, for example, 10,000 to 100,000 poise, 10,000 to 50,000 poise, and a CTE that is compatible, that is, from about plus or minus 10% relative difference in CTE with the core material.

In embodiments, the core can have a thickness of, for example, from 20 microns to 10 mm and a width of from 0.1 mm to 10 meters, including intermediate values and ranges; and

the glass clad layer surrounding the core can have a thickness and a width greater than the core of, for example, a thickness of from 50 to 1,000 microns, and a width of from 0.1 mm to 10 meters, including intermediate values and ranges.

In embodiments, the slot extruding of the core can be accomplished, for example, above the melting point of the core such as from 50 to 200° C. above; and the fusion drawing of the glass clad can be accomplished, for example, above the melting point of the glass such as from 50 to 100° C. above.

In embodiments, the glass cladding is wider than the width of the core layer.

In embodiments, the glass cladding can be, for example, an envelope that completely surrounds the core layer.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a laminate sheet article comprising:

a core comprising an electrical semi-conductor or an electrical conductor; and

a glass clad layer on each face of the core and the ends of the sheet article, that is, the glass clad layers completely surrounds the core on all faces and all sides.

In embodiments, the core and the clad layer can have a CTE difference of less than from about ±5×10⁻⁷.

In embodiments, the core and the glass clad layer can have a melting point difference of from 0 to about 400° C.

In embodiments, the exterior glass envelop surfaces of the article are pristine, that is, free of defects, free of contaminants, very flat, very smooth, very small or negligible surface roughness, for example, as can be achieved by a fusion draw apparatus or a double fusion draw apparatus and methods thereof.

In embodiments, the disclosed articles can be produced, for example, with a lamination apparatus for making the above mentioned glass enveloped laminate article, comprising:

a slot extruder that extrudes a sheet of core; and

at least one fusion draw isopipe that can, for example, surround, surmount, or otherwise cooperate with the slot extruder to deliver a glass layer to at least each face and at least two edges of the extruded core sheet.

In embodiments, the at least one fusion drawing isopipe comprises a single isopipe that delivers a glass layer to each face of the sheet of the core and each glass layer has the same glass composition.

In embodiments, the at least one fusion drawing isopipe comprises two isopipes that each deliver a glass layer to each face of the sheet of the core and each glass layer has a different glass composition.

In embodiments, if the core material can be delivered through a slot, then many options for making novel laminate and glass containing structures are accessible, since the core material can have a viscosity much lower than the clad glass, for example, the a clad glass of 200,000 poises.

In embodiments, the viscosity of the liquid (i.e., molten) glass clad in the double crucible apparatus can be, for example, less than about 50,000 poise.

In embodiments, the viscosity of the liquid core material in the double crucible apparatus can be, for example, from about 0.5 to 1,000 centipoise.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a lamination apparatus for making the abovementioned enveloped article, comprising:

a first crucible that extrudes a sheet of the core; and

a second crucible surrounding the first crucible that delivers a glass envelope layer to each face and at least two edges of the sheet of the core to produce a laminate article, wherein the relative height of at least one or both of the first crucible and second crucible is vertically adjustable with respect to the other crucible.

In embodiments, the vertical adjustability of the relative height of at least one or both of the first crucible and second crucible regulates the relative flow and relative thickness, width, or both, of the core, and the relative flow and relative thickness of the glass envelope layer.

In embodiments, in the disclosed double crucible lamination apparatus, the first crucible, the second crucible, or both crucibles, can be made of platinum, or like heat and erosion resistant materials, and the first crucible, the second crucible, or both crucibles, can have an optional erosion protective quartz surface coating.

In embodiments, in the disclosed lamination apparatus can further comprise cooling or heating members for treating the newly laminated article, such as a heating or cooling wand, a heating or cooling roller, a heating or cooling fluid jet, or a combination thereof, situated on one or both of the major faces of the resulting laminate article.

In embodiments, the double crucible apparatus can have, for example, heating, cooling, or both heating and cooling capability, for regulating or adjusting the flow of the liquid core material. In embodiments, the double crucible apparatus can have, for example, valving or like mechanisms for regulating or adjusting the flow of the liquid core material through a gap or an orifice of the inner crucible.

In embodiments, in the combined slot draw and fusion draw apparatus the viscosity of the liquid glass clad can be, for example, of from about 200,000 to 400,000 poise.

In embodiments, in the combined slot draw and fusion draw apparatus, the viscosity of the liquid core material can be, for example, less than about 50,000 centipoise.

In embodiments, in the slot draw fusion draw apparatus, the core material can be other than a glass, for example, a thin layer of a metal, metalloid, or semiconductor material is delivered from a slot to between two viscoelastic liquid or like sheets of glass to form a glass envelope that surrounds (when viewed in cross-section) the core material.

In embodiments, the disclosed article can be prepared with an apparatus having a slot draw inside a fusion pipe, see for example, the perspective view of FIG. 3 and the cross-section view of FIG. 4B.

In embodiments, the disclosed apparatus provides additional design options, for example, the slot delivery aperture can be unobstructed or the slot delivery aperture can be compartmentalized or obstructed into a series of slits or holes. A compartmentalized slot aperture permits one to create or deliver structures other than a continuous core sheet. For example, when a hole geometry is selected for the slot, one can fabricate an array of hollow tubes or slots, or filled tubes or slots. Alternatively or additionally, hollow tube or slot structures can be combined, i.e., adjacent to or interspersed with filled tubes or slots. The hollow tubes or slots can subsequently be, for example, evacuated or filled with a fluorescent gas.

In embodiments, the “slot draw within a fusion pipe” apparatus mentioned in the commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,514,149 PRIOR ART can have, for example, a continuous slot across the core width of the work piece.

In embodiments, the “slot draw within a fusion pipe” apparatus mentioned in the commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,514,149 PRIOR ART can additionally be inventively modified as disclosed herein to have, for example, a discontinuous slot across the core width of the work piece, having for example, a plurality of separated slots or channels, and the plurality of separated slots or channels can each be selected or actuated to receive, for example, a molten or liquid core filling, a gas, or a combination thereof.

In embodiments, the “slot draw within a fusion pipe” apparatus can provide an unobstructed slot. Since the liquidus viscosity is not an issue in the slot draw, glasses, metals, or metalloids, that can have lower viscosities compared to clad glass can be selected for the core. Glasses, metals, metalloids, or combinations thereof, having lower viscosities can be, for example, a halide glass, an oxyhalide glass, a chalcogenide glass, and like glasses. Glass, metal, or metalloid cores, having a high refractive index, or optionally, additionally doped with rare earths, can be used to produce, for example, edge collector solar panels, rechargeable cell phone faces, and like devices.

In embodiments, the disclosed apparatus can provide a laminate having a metal core, a metalloid core, or semiconductor core. For a metal core layer or metalloid core layer, devices that employ properties like reflectance (e.g., for mirrors), magnetism, or conductivity (e.g., capacitors), can be made with the disclosed apparatus. For a semiconductor core layer an entirely new platform for integrated circuit design can be prepared, particularly if the core layer is, for example, a very thin single crystal. However, even an amorphous core structure or polycrystalline core structure can be useful. In the disclosed complete glass surround configuration, the glass clad layer can be selectively etched away or machined from one or both major faces or sides providing, for example, an option for a vertical (i.e., out-of-plane) architecture.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a method of making a laminated sheet article having, for example, a semiconductor grade silicon core, and for example, one or more glass clad layer surrounding the core. The laminated sheet articles can be used as a platform for junction devices. The enveloped laminated sheet articles can be made in an apparatus that combines a slot draw for delivering a non-glass core, for example, a metal or a metalloid, and a fusion draw pipe for delivering the glass cladding to the core.

In embodiments, the disclosure provides a laminated sheet article and a method of making a laminated sheet article having, for example, a low melting glass core, for example, a halide, an oxyhalide, a chalcogenide, and like glasses, and for example, one or more glass clad layer surrounding the low melting glass core.

In embodiments, the core and the clad material pairings can have a comparable CTE or near CTE match.

In embodiments, the clad material can have a melt viscosity of at least 50,000 poise at from about 50 to 150° C., such as at about 100° C.

In embodiments, the disclosed apparatus and methods are advantaged by, for example, permitting the manufacture of new architectures for semiconductor devices.

In embodiments, for example, if silver or germanium is selected as the core material, then a fusion draw providing the glass clad layers and that operates at about 100° C. above the silver or germanium melting or softening points (e.g., 1050 to 1110° C.) is constructed and used for the lamination. The choice of the materials of construction for the clad draw can be, for example, fused silica, zircon, or alumina. However, these materials preferably should be tested for compatibility with respective core and glass melts. The configuration of the fusion pipe can be, for example, a hollow arrowhead, closed at both ends, with a slot cut half way across the tip. A separator barrier or tight fitting lid can be placed over the slot reservoir or chamber to separate from the delivered fusion glass. The slot can be, for example, wide enough so that surface tension will not impede flow and the head of the core liquid controls the delivery rate of the melt through the slot. The fusion drawn glass clad can have a liquidus of, for example, at least 200,000 poises at 1050° C., and have CTE compatibility or CTE difference of less than of from about ±5×10⁻⁷ compared to the core, and in semiconducting applications the fusion glass is preferably free of any alkali since alkalis can mix with and poison the semiconducting properties of the core material. In embodiments, if the CTE compatibility or CTE difference is more than of from about ±10×10⁻⁷ compared to the core, then shrinkage or weakening of the product enveloped laminate may be encountered.

In embodiments, the glass clad envelop preferably has one or more of the following: a compatible CTE; a melt viscosity compatible with the core material; and chemical compatibility, i.e., no adverse chemical reactions or chemical interactions.

Referring to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows a schematic in cross-section of an example PRIOR ART (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,886, to Shay) laminate structure (100) produced in a double fusion laminating apparatus having a core (110) and two adjacent clad layers (120) on each major face of the core.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show schematic cross-section examples of disclosed laminate envelope structures and articles that can be produced in either of a double crucible laminating apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6, or a combined slot draw and fusion draw apparatus of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4B. The article (200) of FIG. 2A has a core (210) that is fully enveloped in glass clad (220). FIG. 2B can have one or more cores (210) and each discontinuous core is fully enveloped in the glass clad (220). In embodiments, the article (250) of FIG. 2B can have one or more cores (210) that are fully enveloped in glass clad (220), and alternatively or additionally one or more cores (260) can be, for example, hollow or contain a gas.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic in perspective of an example a combined slot draw and fusion draw apparatus (300). The apparatus has at least one source of a molten or liquid metal or metalloid core (310) that can be delivered to a dispensing slot (312), at least one source of a molten glass clad (320) that can be delivered to, for example, an isopipe (311) that can produce split glass streams (325), which streams are recombined with the slot draw core to envelop the core (315). An apparatus cross section 4B can be seen in FIG. 4B. Enveloped laminate (work piece and article) cross sections 2AB (2A and 2B) can be seen, for example, in FIG. 2A or 2B. In alternative embodiments, the combined slot draw and fusion draw apparatus of FIG. 3 can have at least one source of a solid metal such as a powder, pellets, chunks, and like solid forms, which solid can be conveyed to a tank, vessel, or reservoir within the interior of the apparatus (300) where melting can occur and the temperature can be controlled, prior to dispensing the liquid metal melt through the slot (312) or one or more of a plurality of slots.

FIGS. 4A and 4B show in cross-section the PRIOR ART double fusion apparatus (4A) and the PRIOR ART combined fusion draw and slot draw apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 7,514,149, schematic of FIG. 3 (4B). FIG. 4A shows a schematic in cross-section of a PRIOR ART (see the abovementioned U.S. Ser. No. 14/905,926 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,214,886), double fusion apparatus (400) and process having the clad glass stream (420) from an upper isopipe (410) streaming onto the core glass stream (440) from the lower isopipe (430) across the gap (450). FIG. 4B is a schematic (460) of cross-section 4B of the apparatus (300) perspective of FIG. 3, showing an isopipe (311) that conveys the split molten clad glass (325) streams to the core (315); and the slot (312) channel conveys liquid core material (475) from a reservoir or chamber (470), to the merger of the core and clad streams. In embodiments, the liquid core material (475) in the reservoir or chamber (470) can have a liquid or solid protective layer (not shown) on the top surface of the reservoir material such as B₂O₃. In embodiments, the tip of slot (312) channel can be adjusted or preselected to control or alter the thickness of the core stream relative to the clad streams. In embodiments, the tip of slot (312) channel can be, for example, square (flat), rounded, or tapered. In embodiments, the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4B can have optional thermal conditioning rollers (480) for the purpose of pulling or handling the enveloped laminate sheet article and not for quenching or nipping the sheet. In embodiments, the apparatus of FIGS. 3 and 4B can have an external convective (i.e., non-contact) cooling unit (not shown) such as a thermally conductive metal plate and a source of liquid or gaseous circulating coolant. In embodiments, a heating unit, cooling unit, or both, can be situated on one or both sides of the emerging enveloped laminate sheet article and can be advantageous, for example, for making a sheet article having a core with significant single crystal content (e.g., zone refining).

FIG. 5 shows a schematic in perspective of an example of the disclosed vertically adjustable double crucible slot draw laminating apparatus (600) and cross-sections 5A and 5B. Section 5A shows an outer crucible (610) having an first aperture (615) surrounds a second inner crucible (620) having a second aperture (625) that is smaller in length and width compared to the first aperture (615). Horizontal cross section 5B additionally shows the slot regions (615) and (620), thermal conditioning members (650), and arms or stems (630) for vertically adjusting the relative height between crucibles (610) and (620).

FIGS. 6A to 6D show views of the disclosed vertically adjustable double crucible slot draw laminating apparatus (600) perspective of FIG. 5. FIG. 6A shows one side elevation including adjustable stems (630) and section A-A. Section A-A also has detail area C for apertures (615) and (625), which is shown magnified in FIG. 6C. FIG. 6B shows another side elevation including one of a pair of exemplary adjustable stems (630) and section B-B. Section B-B also has slot detail area D, which is shown magnified in FIG. 6D.

FIGS. 7A (end view) and 7B (side view), both show example images of two of the disclosed glass clad enveloped core samples having comparable outer dimensions, such as a fully enveloped (i.e., two faces and two edges or sides) glass (clad) and a metalloid (core) laminate each having a small (left) and a larger (right) germanium core, and a thick (left) or thin (right) glass envelope or glass surround about the core.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show images of two samples of a metalloid (core) and fully enveloped glass (clad) laminate having a germanium core and a glass envelope or glass surround (thick clad (left); thick core (right)). A U.S. Lincoln penny provides a scale reference.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show elevation views of articles shown in the cross sections of FIGS. 2A and 2B, respectively, including FIG. 2A having a core (210) that is fully enveloped in glass clad (220). The article of FIG. 2B can have a plurality of discontinuous cores (210) that can be surrounded by or enveloped by glass (220), or one or more of the discontinuous cores (210) and one or more hollow core (260) or a core containing a gas (260). The block arrows indicate the sheet extrude and draw process direction, and the lead edge (fifth side) of the work piece. In embodiments, the clad envelope can be completed on the trailing edge of the work piece by, for example, cutting the continuous sheet or, for example, terminating the core flow while maintaining the clad flow for a brief period to produce a laminate sheet having a core that is fully enveloped or surrounded (i.e., on all six sides) by the clad glass.

EXAMPLES

The following Examples demonstrate making, use, and analysis of the disclosed lamination apparatus, laminate article, and methods in accordance with the above general procedures.

Example 1 (Prophetic)

Semiconductor Core Glass Glad Laminate

For semiconductor core delivery through a slot draw, silicon (MP 1412 C, expansion 26) is selected as the core. Example glasses selected for the clad layer are listed in Table 1A, and the glasses have a CTE that approximately matches (e.g., plus or minus about 10%) the CTE of the core. In embodiments, the clad glass is preferably alkali-free to avoid contaminating a semiconducting Si core. Table 1B lists examples of alkali-free clad glass compositions.

TABLE 1A
Clad glass composition pairings for a silicon core laminate.
	Glass	Glass	Glass	Glass	Glass	Glass
Ingredient	wt %	wt %	wt %	wt %	wt %	wt %
Al2O3	20.58	19.48	—	3.24	4.81	20.55
B2O3	3.55	—	—	—	—	3.47
CaO	0.03	0.04	—	—	—	0.034
MgO	1.51	2.77	6.53	5.12	4.44	1.51
As2O3	5.0 × 10−4	—	—	—	—	6.0 × 10−4
SiO2	62.89	64.59	77.9	76.37	75.63	62.9
BaO	—	—	—	—	—	—
SnO2	0.14	0.23	0.24	0.24	0.24	0.14
ZrO2	0.01	—	—	—	—	0.013
Fe2O3	0.012	0.02	0.0571	0.0571	0.0571	0.012
K2O	7.0 × 10−3	—	15.27	14.97	14.82	6.0 × 10−3
Na2O	11.38	12.85	—	—	—	11.34
Cl	—	1.0 × 10−2	—	—	—	—
TiO2	—	1.0 × 10−2	—	—	—	—
Cr2O3	—	—	6.48 × 10−4	6.48 × 10−4	6.48 × 10−4	—
NiO	—	—	1.2 × 10−4	1.2 × 10−4	1.2 × 10−4	—

TABLE 1B
Alkali-free clad glass composition
pairings for a silicon core laminate.
	Glass	Glass
Ingredient	wt %	wt %
SiO2	80.3	77
Al2O3	5.2	6
B2O3	11.6	14.1
CaO	1	1.2
BaO	1.9	1.7

Example 2

Semiconductor Core Glass Glad Laminate

For semiconductor delivery through the slot draw, germanium (mp 938° C., coefficient of thermal expansion 5.9×10⁻⁶/° C.) was selected for the core material. An example glass selected for the clad layer is listed in Table 2, and has a CTE that approximately matches (e.g., plus or minus 10%) the CTE of the core. In embodiments, the clad glass is preferably alkali-free to avoid contaminating a semiconducting core in the product article.

TABLE 2
Clad glass composition suitable
for a germanium core and
a glass clad laminate pair.
Ingredient Glass wt %
Al2O3      11.5
B2O3       8.49
CaO        5.21
MgO        1.3
SrO        1.29
SiO2       62.89
BaO        3.91

Example 3 (Prophetic)

Semiconductor Core Glass Glad Laminate

For semiconductor delivery through the slot draw, GaAs (mp 1238° C., coefficient of thermal expansion 6.8×10⁻⁶/° C.) is selected as the core material. Example glasses selected for the clad layers are listed in Table 3A and have a CTE that approximately matches (e.g., plus or minus 10%) the CTE of the core. The GaAs core slot draw calls for overpressure to minimize evaporative Ga loss, e.g., 1,400 psi in the GaAs producing core system. The glass clad preferably can have a viscosity of 50,000 poise above the viscosity of the core and has a CTE difference within about ±5×10⁻⁷. In embodiments, the clad glass is preferably alkali-free or very low alkali content to avoid or minimize contaminating a semiconducting GaAs core. Table 3B lists two examples of low alkali clad glass composition pairings (Glass 1 and 2) that are compatible with the GaAs core.

TABLE 3A
Clad glass compositions suitable for
pairing with a GaAs core laminate.
		Glass	Glass	Glass
	Ingredient	wt %	wt %	wt %
	Al2O3	20.58	19.48	—
	B2O3	3.55	—	—
	CaO	0.03	0.04	—
	MgO	1.51	2.77	6.53
	As2O3	5.0 × 10−4	—	—
	SiO2	62.89	64.59	77.9
	BaO	—	—	—
	SnO2	0.14	0.23	0.24
	ZrO2	0.01	—	—
	Fe2O3	0.012	0.02	0.0571
	K2O	7.0 × 10−3	—	15.27
	Na2O	11.38	12.85	—
	Cl	—	1.0 × 10−2	—
	TiO2	—	1.0 × 10−2	—
	Cr2O3	—	—	6.48 × 10−4
	NiO	—	—	1.2 × 10−4

TABLE 3B
Low alkali clad glass compositions
for pairing with a GaAs core laminate.
	Glass 1	Glass 2
Ingredient	wt %	wt %
SiO2	54.1	54.2
Al2O3	6.01	6.03
B2O3	31.81	31.92
P2O5	7.74	7.14
Na2O	0.27	0.55
SnO2	0.16	0.16

The disclosure has been described with reference to various specific embodiments and techniques. However, many variations and modifications are possible while remaining within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A laminate sheet article comprising: a core layer comprising an electrical semi-conductor or an electrical conductor; anda glass clad layer envelope surrounding, in cross-section, the major faces and at least two edges of the core.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the core layer and the clad layer have a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) difference of less than from ±5×10−7/° C.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein an exterior of the major faces of the glass clad are pristine.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein: the core layer is at least one of Si, Ge, GaAs, or a mixture thereof, and has a melt viscosity of from 0.01 poise to 100 poise; andthe glass clad layer surrounding the core comprises a glass having a melt viscosity of from 30,000 poise to 400,000 poise, and has a CTE compatible with the core material.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein: the core layer has a thickness of from 0.1 microns to 100 millimeters and a width of from 0.09 microns to 9.99 meters; andthe glass clad layer surrounding the core has a layer thickness of from 0.1 microns to 1,000 microns, and a layer width of from 0.1 mm to 10 meters.

6. A laminate sheet article, comprising: a glass core comprising a halide glass, an oxyhalide glass, a chalcogenide glass, or a mixture thereof; andan enveloping glass clad layer on each major face of the core and at least two ends or edges of the sheet article,wherein the glass core and the enveloping glass clad layer has a melting point difference of from 0° C. to about 400° C.

7. (canceled)

8. A lamination apparatus for making the article of claim 1, comprising: a first crucible that extrudes a sheet of the core layer; anda second crucible surrounding the first crucible that delivers a glass envelope layer to each face and at least two edges of the sheet of the core layer to produce the laminate sheet article,wherein the relative height of at least one or both of the first crucible and second crucible is vertically adjustable with respect to the other crucible.

9. The lamination apparatus of claim 8, wherein the vertically adjustability of the relative height of the at least one or both of the first crucible and second crucible regulates relative flow and relative thickness, width, or both of the core layer, and relative flow and relative thickness of the glass envelope layer.

10. The lamination apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first crucible, the second crucible, or both crucibles, comprise platinum; and wherein the first crucible, the second crucible, or both crucibles, comprise an erosion protective quartz surface coating.

11. The lamination apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a cooling wand, a cooling roller, a cooling fluid jet, or a combination thereof, situated on one or both of the major faces of the resulting laminate sheet article.

12. A method of making a continuous laminate sheet, the sheet comprising: a core comprising at least one of an electrical semiconductor material, an electrical conductor material, or a combination thereof; and a clad layer comprising a glass surrounding at least four of six sides of the core; the method comprising: continuously slot extruding a sheet of the core and simultaneously; andcontinuously fusion drawing the glass clad layer onto at least four of six sides including both major sides of the core sheet to produce the continuous laminate sheet having an envelope structure.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: zone refining the continuous laminate sheet to enhance crystallinity of the core.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: rolling the continuous laminate sheet into a roll, or cutting the continuous laminate sheet into individual sheets.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein slot extruding is accomplished in a vacuum, in an inert atmosphere, under positive pressure, or a combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein: the core comprises at least one of Si, Ge, GaAs, or a mixture thereof, and has a viscosity of from 0.01 centipoise to 5,000 centipoise; andthe glass clad layer surrounding the core has a viscosity of from 30,000 poise to 400,000 poise, and a CTE compatible with the core material.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein: the core has a thickness of from 0.1 microns to 100 millimeters and a width of from 0.09 mm to 9.99 meters; andthe glass clad layer surrounding the core has a thickness of from 0.1 to 1,000 microns, and a width of from 0.1 mm to 10 meters.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein: slot extruding is accomplished above the melting point of the core; andfusion drawing is accomplished above the melting point of the glass.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein a width of the glass clad layer is greater than a width of the core.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the glass clad layer is an envelope completely surrounding the core on both major faces and on at least one edge or end.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the glass clad layer is an envelope completely surrounding the core on both major faces and on all edges and ends.