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At least 73 records · Page 4
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1987

Crystal growing from the melt

The mechanical and electrical properties of crystals produced by a unidirectional process depend strongly on the temperature and flow fields since these control the concentration of solute at the melt-crystal interface. The solute gradient there drives morphological instabilities that lead to cellular or dendritic interfaces. In the presentation several features of flow-solidification interactions will be discussed. These will include the effects of convection driven by density changes and buoyancy and the imposition of forced flow.

Davis, S. H.↗
NASA NTRS1961

Neutralization of Hydroxide Ion in Melt-Grown NaCl Crystals

Many recent studies of solid-state phenomena, particularly in the area of crystal imperfections, have involved the use of melt-grown NaCl single crystals. Quite often trace impurities in these materials have had a prominent effect on these phenomena. Trace amounts of hydroxide ion have been found in melt-grown NaCl crystals. This paper describes a nondestructive method of neutralizing the hydroxide ion in such crystals. Crystals of similar hydroxide content are maintained at an elevated temperature below the melting point of NaCl in a flowing atmosphere containing. dry hydrogen chloride. Heat treatment is continued until an analysis of the test specimens shows no excess hydroxide ion. A colorimetric method previously described4 is used for this analysis.

Otterson, Dumas A.↗
NASA NTRS1994

Cr, Mn, and Ca distributions for olivine in angritic systems: Constraints on the origins of Cr-rich and Ca-poor core olivine in angrite LEW87051

Angrite meteorites are a type of basaltic achondrites that are noted for their very old cyrstallization ages (4.55 b.y.) and unusual chemical and mineralogical properties. In spite of great interest, only four angrites have been found. LEW87051 is the smallest one which weighs 0.6 g. It is a porphyritic rock with coarse subhedral to euhedral olivines set in a fine-grained groundmass which clearly represents a crystallized melt. The largest uncertainty about the petrogenesis of LEW87051 is the relationship between the large olivine crystals and the groundmass. Prinz et al. suggests that olivines are xenocrysts, while McKay et al. proposed a fractional cyrstallization model based on experimental studies. However, the crystals have Cr-rich and Ca-poor cores which do not match experimental olivines. Although Jurewicz and McKay tried to explaine the zoning of the rim by diffusion, some features are not explained. There also exists a definite composition boundary of Fe(2+) and MnO between the core and the rim. To clarify the origin of these olivines, we have performed experiments using LEW87051 analogs to measure the effects of oxygen fugacity on distribution coefficients of various elements in an angritic system.

Mikouchi, T.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Mineralogic and Petrologic Studies of Meteorites and Lunar Samples

In the period named, P.I. Wood and his Research Associate M.I. Petaev published or submitted for publication the following papers and abstracts, which address the subjects: Simulation of melting-crystallization relationships in chondritic and achondritic igneous systems. METEOMOD: A numerical model for the calculation of melting-crystalyization relationships in meteoritic igneous systems. Secondary Ca-Fe-rich minerals in the Bali-like and Allende-like oxidized CV3 chondrites and Allende dark inclusions. Silica minerals in the Gibeon IVA iron meteorite. Drusy vugs in the Albion iron meteorite: Mineralogy and textures. Search for exsolved ferromagnesian olivines: A meteoritic survey. Cr-bearing minerals in the Gibeon IVA iron: Indicators of sulfur and oxygen fugacities in the parent body. Lunar Planet. Computer modelling of ordinary chondrite melting. Drusy vugs in the Albion iron meteorite: Early speculation on the origin. Also Processing of chondritic and planetary material in spiral density waves in the nebula. Chondrite formation by turbulence and shock in the solar nebula.

Wood, John A.↗
NASA NTRS2004

Detached Growth of Germanium by Directional Solidification

Detached crystal growth technique (dewetting) offers improvement in the quality of the grown crystals by preventing sticking to the walls of the crucible and thus reducing the possibility of parasitic nucleation and formation of lattice defects upon cooling. One of the factors relevant for the phenomena is the pressure differential across the meniscus at the crystal-melt interface. We investigated this effect experimentally. The growth took place in closed ampoules under the pressure of an inert gas (forming gas: 96% Ar + 4% H2). The pressure above the melt was adjustable and allowed for a control of the pressure difference between the top and bottom menisci. The crystals were characterized, particularly by taking profilometer measurements along the grown crystals surface. The effects of the experimental conditions on the detachment were compared with those predicted based on the theory of Duffar et al.

Palosz, W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Numerical simulations of inductive-heated float-zone growth

The present work provides an improved fluid flow and heat-transfer modeling of float-zone growth by introducing a RF heating model so that an ad hoc heating temperature profile is not necessary. Numerical simulations were carried out to study the high-temperature float-zone growth of titanium carbide single crystal. The numerical results showed that the thermocapillary convection occurring inside the molten zone tends to increase the convexity of the melt-crystal interface and decrease the maximum temperature of the molten zone, while the natural convection tends to reduce the stability of the molten zone by increasing its height. It was found that the increase of induced heating due to the increase of applied RF voltage is reduced by the decrease of zone diameter. Surface tension plays an important role in controlling the amount of induced heating. Finally, a comparison of the computed shape of the free surface with a digital image obtained during a growth run showed adequate agreement.

Chan, Y. T.↗
NASA NTRS2017

Mapping the Iron Oxidation State in Martian Meteorites

Several types of Martian igneous meteorites have been identified: clinopyroxenites (nakhlites), basaltic shergottites, peridotitic shergottites, dunites (chassignites) and orthopyroxenites [1,2]. In order to constrain the heterogeneity of the Martian mantle and crust, and their evolution through time, numerous studies have been performed on the iron oxidation state of these meteorites [3,4,5,6,7,8,9]. The calculated fO2 values all lie within the FMQ-5 to FMQ+0.5 range (FMQ representing the Fayalite = Magnetite + Quartz buffer); however, discrepancies appear between the various studies, which are either attributed to the choice of the minerals/melts used, or to the precision of the analytical/calculation method. The redox record in volcanic samples is primarily related to the oxidation state in the mantle source(s). However, it is also influenced by several deep processes: melting, crystallization, magma mixing [10], assimilation and degassing [11]. In addition, the oxidation state in Martian meteorites is potentially affected by several surface processes: assimilation of sediment/ crust during lava flowing at Mars' surface, low temperature micro-crystallization [10], weathering at the surface of Mars and low temperature reequilibration, impact processes (i.e. high pressure phase transitions, mechanical mixing, shock degassing and melting), space weathering, and weathering on Earth (at atmospheric conditions different from Mars). Decoding the redox record of Martian meteorites, therefore, requires large-scale quantitative analysis methods, as well as a perfect understanding of oxidation processes.

Martin, A. M.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Dynamic crystallization of chondrule melts of porphyritic olivine composition - Textures experimental and natural

A full range of textures characteristic for porphyritic olivine chondrules was reproduced in melts of the same composition, crystallized under dynamic crystallization conditions (under controlled cooling), as determined by electron microprobe analyses. The primary differences between the natural and experimentally produced porphyritic olivine textures were the nature and the extent of matrix crystallization, which reflected the subsolidus or low-temperature cooling history. The most confining limits on the chondrule-forming process were found to be the presence of crystalline precursors for the chondrule melts and the upper temperature limit of melting.

Lofgren, Gary↗
NASA NTRS1986

Dynamic crystallization of chondrule melts of porphyritic and radial pyroxene composition

Dynamic crystallization experiments in which heterogeneous nucleation is an important variable have been completed on four melts of chondrule composition. Compositions were chosen to best represent chondrules with porphyritic pyroxene and radial pyroxene textures. Experimental results show that heterogeneous nucleation is essential for the formation of porphyritic textures. Without preexisting nuclei, too much supercooling is established before crystallization is initiated and the textures are more likely to be dendritic or radial. In the near total absence of nuclei, radial textures can form at cooling rates as slow as 5 C/hr in this study. By varying the heterogeneous nucleation conditions and having a melt in which the appropriate phases are stable or metastable, analogs to most of the recognized chondrule textures can be produced in a single melt composition.

Lofgren, G.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Identification of Gravity-Related Effects on Crystal Growth From Melts With an Immiscibility Gap

This work involves an experimental-numerical approach to study the effects of natural and Marangoni convections on solidification of single crystals from a silicate melt with a liquid-liquid immiscibility gap. Industrial use of crystals grown from silicate melts is becoming increasingly important in electronic, optical, and high temperature structural applications. Even the simplest silicate systems like Al203-SiO2 have had, and will continue to have, a significant role in the development of traditional and advanced ceramics. A unique feature of crystals grown from the silicate systems is their outstanding linear electro-optic properties. They also exhibit exceptionally high optical rotativity. As a result, these crystals are attractive materials for dielectric, optical, and microwave applications. Experimental work in our laboratory has indicated that directional solidification of a single crystal mullite appears to be preceded by liquid-liquid phase separation in the melt. Disruption of the immiscible state results in crystallization of a two phase structure. There is also evidence that mixing in the melt caused by density-driven convection can significantly affect the stability of the immiscible liquid layers and result in poly-crystalline growth. On earth, the immiscible state has only been observed for small diameter crystals grown in float zone systems where natural convection is almost negligible. Therefore, it is anticipated that growth of large single crystals from silicate melts would benefit from microgravity conditions because of the reduction of the natural convective mixing. The main objective of this research is to determine the effects of transport processes on the phase separation in the melt during growth of a single crystal while addressing the following issues: (1) When do the immiscible layers form and are they real?; (2) What are the main physical characteristics of the immiscible liquids?; and (3) How mixing by natural or Marangoni convection affects the stability of the phase separated melt.

Kassemi, M.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Numerical analysis of the sensitivity of crystal growth experiments to spacecraft residual acceleration

An analysis is conducted of the sensitivity of the Bridgman-Stockbarger crystal growth method, using an idealized model for a range of operating and boundary conditions over a variety of accelerations. Attention is given to the dopant nonuniformity at the melt-crystal interface. The largest compositional nonuniformities are found to occur for disturbances whose amplitudes are greater than 10 exp 6 g, and frequencies below 0.1 Hz.

Alexander, J. I. D.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Effects of furnace temperature profile on the interface shape during Bridgman crystal growth

The effects of asymmetry in furnace temperature profile and pulling velocity on the crystal interface shape are demonstrated while neglecting the latent heat of solidification. It is concluded that the furnace temperature profile may be varied in order to influence the interface shape of the crystal. An exact thermal analysis is performed on the Bridgman technique by including the latent heat of solidification as a source term. The exact temperature field is obtained for the case of a flat melt-crystal interface. The earlier observation regarding the influence of furnace temperature profile on the crystal interface shape is confirmed and a criterion for a flat crystal interface is obtained. Various furnace temperature profiles are selected and their corresponding results are presented.

Taghavi, K.↗
NASA NTRS2001

Computer Simulation of the Forces Acting on a Submerged Polystyrene Probe as it Approaches the Succinonitrile Melt-Solid Interface

A Modeling approach to simulate both mesoscale and microscopic forces acting in a typical AFM experiment is presented. A mesoscale level interaction between the cantilever tip and the sample surface is primarily described by the balance of attractive Van der Waals and repulsive forces. Ultimately, the goal is to measure the forces between a particle and the crystal-melt interface. Two modes of AFM operation are considered in this paper - a stationary and a "tapping" one. The continuous mechanics approach to model tip-surface interaction is presented. At microscopic levels, tip contamination and details of tip-surface interaction are modeled using a molecular dynamics approach for the case of polystyrene - succinonitrile contact. Integration of the mesoscale model with a molecular dynamic model is discussed.

Bune, Andris V.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Dynamics of Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of non-dilute binary alloys

The coupling between heat and mass transfer in the Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of nondilute crystals induces growth rate transients that are longer than those caused by heat transfer alone. The dynamics of the diffusion-controlled growth for thermophysical properties representative of Pb(1-x)Sn(x)Te and Hg(1-x)Cd(x)Te are computed from a one-dimensional solidification model which includes melt-crystal phase behavior. Results show that the growth rate response to a step change in pull rate for both systems differs from the exponential decay observed for dilute alloys and that growth rates cannot be inferred from axial segregation data in nondilute systems due to the dependence of the segregation coefficient on composition.

Bourret, E. D.↗
NASA NTRS2013

Method of Promoting Single Crystal Growth During Melt Growth of Semiconductors

The method of the invention promotes single crystal growth during fabrication of melt growth semiconductors. A growth ampoule and its tip have a semiconductor source material placed therein. The growth ampoule is placed in a first thermal environment that raises the temperature of the semiconductor source material to its liquidus temperature. The growth ampoule is then transitioned to a second thermal environment that causes the semiconductor source material in the growth ampoule's tip to attain a temperature that is below the semiconductor source material's solidus temperature. The growth ampoule so-transitioned is then mechanically perturbed to induce single crystal growth at the growth ampoule's tip.

Su, Ching-Hua↗
NASA NTRS1984

Effect of a forced Couette flow on coupled convective and morphological instabilities during unidirectional solidification

The effect of a forced Couette flow, parallel to a horizontal crystal-melt interface during directional solidification of an alloy of lead containing tin, on the onset of convective and morphological instabilities, is calculated numerically via a linear stability analysis. Such a flow does not affect perturbations with wave vectors perpendicular to the flow. For perturbations with wave vectors parallel to the flow, the onset of morphological instability is somewhat suppressed and thermosolutal convection is greatly suppressed. When instabilities occur, they are oscillatory and correspond to travelling waves. For values of the crystal growth velocity for which mixed morphological and convective modes occur, the presence of a forced flow produces sufficient decoupling to allow otherwise degenerate branches to be identified.

Coriell, S. R.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Thermal Characterization of the Universal Multizone Crystallizator

The Universal Multizone Crystallizator (UMC) is a special apparatus for crystal growth under terrestrial and microgravity conditions. The use of twenty-five zones allows the, UMC to be used for several normal freezing growth techniques. The thermal profile is electronically translated along the stationary sample by systematically reducing the power to the control zones. Elimination of mechanical translation devices increases the systems reliability while simultaneously reducing the size and weight. This paper addresses the UMC furnace design, sample cartridge, typical thermal profiles and corresponding power requirements necessary for two normal freezing techniques: dynamic gradient freeze and zone melting crystal growth.

Watring, D. A.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Numerical Modeling of Solidification in Space With MEPHISTO-4

A pre-flight analysis of the directional solidification of BiSn with MEPHISTO-4 is presented. Simplified Bridgman growth under microgravity conditions is simulated using a two dimensional finite element model. This numerical model is a single domain, pseudo-steady state model, and includes the effects of both thermal and solutal convection. The results show that for all orientations of the applied steady state gravity vector, of magnitude 1 micro-g, the directional solidification process remains diffusion controlled. The maximum convective velocity was found to be 4.424 x 10(exp -5) cm/s for the horizontal Bridgman growth configuration. This value is an order of magnitude lower than the growth velocity. The maximum and minimum values or solute concentration in the liquid at the crystal-melt interface were 13.867 at.% and 13.722 at.%, respectively. This gives a radial segregation value of xi = 1.046% at the interface. A secondary objective of this work was to compare the results obtained to those that consider thermal convection only (no solutal convection). It was found that the convective flow patterns in simulations which included solutal convection were significantly different from those which ignored solutal convection. The level of radial segregation predicted by the current simulations is an order of magnitude lower than that found in simulations which ignore solutal convection. The final aim was to investigate the effect of g-jitter on the crystal growth process. A simulation was performed to calculate the system response to a 1 second, 100 micro-g gravity impulse acting normal to the direction of growth. This pulse is consistent with that induced by Orbiter thruster firings. The results obtained indicate that such a gravity pulse causes an increase in the level of radial solute segregation at the interface from the steady state values. The maximum value of solute concentration in the liquid was found to be 13.888 at.%, the minimum value calculated was 13.706 at.%, yielding a radial segregation value of xi = 1.31% at the interface. These values occurred 126 seconds after the pulse terminated. Thus it is anticipated that the process will remain diffusion controlled even when subjected to such g-jitter.

Simpson, James E.↗