Project Title:

The Synthetic Production Of Large Single Crystals

15.04-8500
Project Title:The Synthetic Production Of Large Single Crystals
Company:Flow Research Company
Kent, WA 98032
Principal Investigator:Metcalfe, Ralph W.

Abstract:

The synthetic production of large single crystals has recently become a problem of
critical importance to the electronics industry.  The development of faster and more
powerful microcomputer chips depends on the availability of uniform crystals of more
exotic materials than the traditional silicon.  Recent experiments in the Space Shuttle
have demonstrated the significant potential for the production of such crystals in
a microgravity environment.  However, while thermal convection effects are significantly
reduced in space, thermocapillary convection becomes extremely important, and itis
critical to develop a predictive capability for the physics of crystal melt flows
in such an environment.  This problem is magnified by the lackof any terrestrial
facilities for performing extended laboratory experiments under microgravity conditions.
 The object of this porposal is the development and implementation of high accuracy
numerical codes for predicting the evolution of crystal melt flows in space and performing
simulations with these codes to help in the design of space laboratory experiments.