Leibniz MMS Days 2023 - Abstract
Tsiapkinis, Iason
Dynamic, highly curved free surfaces are present in many bulk crystal growth processes such as the Floating Zone growth of silicon. The free surface defines the interface between the melt and the surrounding atmosphere. Its shape is governed by gravitational, capillary and electromagnetic forces and is also influenced by the melt flow. The free surface shape affects the heat transfer into the molten phase and plays an important role in the stability of the process. We calculate the free surface by solving the Navier-Stokes equations for the melt volume using the Finite-Volume-Method in OpenFOAM. A moving mesh interface tracking method is applied for the free surface shape with boundary conditions derived from the force balance. We address theoretical questions concerning external forces influencing the shape as well as additional constraints such as contact angles. Results are compared to solutions of the Young-Laplace equation of a static fluid discussing the influence of the gauge pressure.