Macroscopic Transport Processes During the Growth of Single Crystals from the Melt

Abstract

The macroscopic transport of heat, mass, and momentum is important in virtually all materials processing systems and is especially important in crystal growth processes. Due to this importance, the topic has received much attention; a listing of just a few of the more recent reviews of transport phenomena in melt crystal growth is given by refs. [1]–[10]. The primary goal of this paper is to discuss the effects of macroscopic transport on the growth of crystals from the melt. While transport processes are extremely important in many other types of crystal growth systems, such as vapor growth [11]–[14] and growth from solution [15], it is hoped that those interested in these systems will still find the ensuing discussion valuable. The fundamental nature of continuum transport is similar for all crystal growth processes; however, the specific effects often differ dramatically for each system.