Thermocapillary flow and melt/solid interfaces in floating-zone crystal growth under microgravity
Journal
Journal of Crystal Growth
Journal Volume
102
Journal Issue
4
Pages
1043-1058
Date Issued
1990
Author(s)
Abstract
Computer simulation of steady-state axisymmetrical heat transfer and fluid flow was conducted to study thermocapillary flow and melt/solid interfaces in floating-zone crystal growth under microgravity. The effects of key variables on the extent of thermocapillary flow in the melt zone, the shapes of the melt/solid interfaces and the length of the melt zone were discussed. These variables are: (1) the temperature coefficient of surface tension (or the Marangoni number), (2) the pulling speed (or the Peclet number), (3) the feed rod radius, (4) the ambient temperature distribution, (5) the heat transfer coefficient (or the Biot number), and (6) the thermal diffusivity of the material (or the Prandtl number). © 1990.
Type
journal article