PNNL

Abstract

The CrysMAS code of the Crystal Growth Laboratory, Fraunhofer IISB, is applied to reveal conditions occurring in electrodynamic gradient freeze furnaces during the growth of cadmium zinc telluride crystals. Of particular interest are heat transfer and growth conditions associated with crucibles of different design, one constructed of graphite and the other of pyrolytic boron nitride (PBN). Under identical furnace set-point schedules, the PBN system exhibits very different heat transfer through the cone region of the crucible, resulting in steeper axial thermal profiles and convex solid-interface shapes (rather than the concave shapes computed for the graphite crucible). Both systems exhibit a concave interface during growth through the cylindrical part of the crucible; however, the axial thermal profile through the contents of the graphite crucible is considerably more offset from the set-point profile of the furnace due to the large axial flows of heat through the crucible walls. These conditions argue for advantage to the PBN system; however, comparatively larger radial gradients in the PBN system could lead to higher dislocation levels.