Modeling of combined natural/thermocapillary convection flows in germanium melt at high temperatures

Abstract

A mathematical model for the description of combined natural/ thermocapillary convection melt flows in cylindrical (3D) geometry is developed. It is utilized to model germanium melt convective flows 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 simplified axisymmetric (2D) model, numerical simulations are carried out to examine the combined natural/thermocapillary flows developing in the germanium melt. Pure thermocapillary and pure natural convective flows are also studied numerically.