Heat transfer simulation in a vertical Bridgman CdTe growth configuration

Modelling and numerical simulation of crystal growth processes have been shown to be powerful tools in order to understand the physical effects of different parameters on the growth conditions. In this study a finite difference/control volume technique for the study of heat transfer has been employed. This model takes into account the whole system: furnace temperature profile, air gap between furnace walls and ampoule, ampoule geometry, crucible coating if any, solid and liquid CdTe thermal properties, conduction, convection and radiation of heat and phase change. We have used the commercial code FLUENT for the numerical resolution that can be running on a personal computer. Results show that the temperature field is very sensitive to the charge and ampoule peculiarities. As a consequence, significant differences between the velocity of the ampoule and that of the isotherm determining the solid/liquid interface have been found at the onset of the growth. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.