Numerical simulation of the horizontal Bridgman growth. Part I: Two‐dimensional flow

Abstract

AbstractWe study the generation of periodic velocity and temperature fields in a plane horizontal crucible of molten metal under the action of a horizontal temperature gradient. The geometry and the boundary conditions are similar to those encountered in the Bridgman growth process of semiconductor crystals, although the present paper is limited to two‐dimensional flows. We use transient finite difference and finite element algorithms which lead to identical results. We demonstrate the oscillatory mechanism in two different geometries.