Phase field modeling of grain structure evolution during directional solidification of multi-crystalline silicon sheet

Abstract

Evolution of grain structures and grain boundaries (GBs), especially the coincident site lattice GBs, during directional solidification of multi-crystalline silicon sheet are simulated by using a phase field model for the first time. Since the coincident site lattice GBs having lower mobility, tend to follow their own crystallographic directions despite thermal gradients, the anisotropic energy and mobility of GBs are considered in the model. Three basic interactions of GBs during solidification are examined and they are consistent with experiments. The twinning process for new grain formation is further added in the simulation by considering twin nucleation. The effect of initial distribution of GB types and grain orientations is also investigated for the twinning frequency and the evolution of grain size and GB types.