ARTICLE:

• FLUID FLOW, HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER, AND INTERFACE SHAPE IN CRYSTAL GROWTH PROCESSES: FROM NUMERICAL NONLINEAR ANALYSIS TO PROCESS IMPROVEMENT  download article

C. W. Lan
Department of Chemical Engineering, National Taiwan University Taipei, Taiwan 10617, ROC

ABSTRACT

The control of heat flow and interface morphology, which are critical to crystal quality, is an important task in crystal growth and solidification. However, the intricate coupling of the transport processes and growth phenomena is particularly complicated and often leads to nonlinear bifurcations, such as symmetry breaking, multiple states, and unsteadiness. Therefore, to better understand the process, a detailed numerical simulation is indeed necessary. Furthermore, the challenge is not only restricted by the nonlinearity. In many cases, the problems are three-dimensional (3D), time-dependent, and with moving or free boundaries. In this paper, through efficient numerical calculations (both 2D and 3D) and flow visualization experiments, we illustrate some interesting aspects of heat flow on the interface control for zone-melting and Bridgman crystal growth. Some useful control approaches, such as rotation and vibration, are also illustrated. Their possible impacts on crystal growth and solidification are further discussed.

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51-80 pages

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