MODELING OF COMBINED NATURAL/THERMOCAPILLARY CONVECTION FLOWS IN GERMANIUM MELT AT HIGH TEMPERATURES

F. MECHIGHEL, N. ARMOUR, S. DOST

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Abstract

A mathematical model for the description of combined natural/ thermocap- illary convection melt ows in cylindrical (3D) geometry is developed. It is utilized to model germanium melt convective ows in an isothermal experimental crucible setup. This experimental setup is devised exclusively to study the dissolution phenomenon of silicon into germanium melt. In this system, the germanium melt is subjected to higher temperatures. Using a simplied axisymmetric (2D) model, numerical simulations are carried out to examine the combined natural/thermocapillary ows developing in the ger-manium melt. Pure thermocapillary and pure natural convective ows are also studied numerically.

Keywords

Germanium melt, free surface, Marangoni convection, natural (thermal or buoyant) convection, mathematical modeling, numerical simulation.