Phosphorus Valved Cracker

Phosphorus Valved Cracker (PVC)

Key features 

  • Patented DCA design for improved safety and ease of operation 
  • 3-zone cracker with removable red phosphorus tank, no need to vent growth chamber for refilling 
  • Motorized metering valve for precise and repeatable motions to regulate phosphorus flow. 

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More details

The valved phosphorus cracker source is used to generate a molecular beam of phosphorus (P2) from a charge of red phosphorus. The red phosphorus is first converted into white phosphorus. The white phosphorus is then heated to produce phosphorus (P4) which is directed through a control valve to a thermal cracker. The thermal cracker cracks P4 molecules into P2 molecules. 

This unique phosphorus cracker is the most advanced cracker available for both production and R&D use. The patented design provides improved safety, ease of operation, and outstanding material quality.  

The cracker has a modular design with the red phosphorus zone separated from the white zone with a valve. Both zones can also be separately baked and pumped. The design therefore allows the red phosphorus tank to be removed for refilling (without venting the growth chamber), as well as continuing growth using the white phosphorus tank.  

The patented cracker (US patent 7,820,125) is available with 1000 cc red phosphorus volume. Other sizes available on request. 

Specifications

Red phosphorus tank volume500 cc, 1000 cc or 5000 cc
White phosphorus tank volume200 cc
Cracker zone temperature

max. 1300 °C outgassing temperature

900 °C typical during growth

Red zone temperature

600 °C outgassing

380 °C during red to white conversion

White zone temperature

200 °C outgassing

50 °C during growth

Connecting flange

2.75” CF (DN63CF) or 4.5” CF (DN100CF)  for 500 cc model

4.5” CF (DN100CF) or 6” CF (DN150CF) for 1000 cc model

6” CF (DN150CF) or 8” CF (DN200CF) for 5000 cc model

Red to white conversion timeTypically, 2 hours for 40 µm InP growth
In-vacuum lengthDepending on the growth chamber
Cracker stage water coolingDepending on the growth chamber
Temperature control

Eurotherm 3-loop controller for cracker, white and red zones

Separate temperature controls for flux control valve and red-to-white separating valve

Bakeout temperature250 °C max.

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