Pseudo-transient heat transfer in vertical Bridgman crystal growth of semi-transparent materials

The temperature distribution and the solid-liquid interface shape during semitransparent crystal growth have been studied by modelling a vertical Bridgman technique, using a pseudo-transient approximation in an ideal configuration. The heat transfer equation and the boundary conditions have been solved by the finite-element method. It has been pointed out that the optical absorption coefficients of the liquid and solid phases have a major effect on the thermal field, especially on the shape and location of the crystallization interface.