Electromagnetic continuous pulling process compared to current casting processes with respect to solidification characteristics

Abstract Electromagnetic continuous pulling (EMCP) process combines the advantages of the cold crucible melting (no pollution, no crucible consumption) with those of continuous casting (high material flow rate, uniform material structure and properties). It is compared to the usual casting techniques for massive crystalline silicon, i.e. directional solidification, Czochralski pulling, and floating zone pulling. The presentation is focused on technical productivity parameters, and on longitudinal distribution of impurities, typically oxygen and iron. This allows a semi-quantitative comparison between the 4 processes, having in prospect the use of a cheaper feedstock, together with the photovoltaic quality requirements.