[Facet]
Investigation on Mechanism of Faceted Cellular Array Growth

Physical Science

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SCIENCE OBJECTIVES FOR EVERYONE

Investigation of Mechanism of Faceted Cellular Array Growth (Facet) will investigate the phenomena at the solid-liquid interface for crystallization, especially for facet-like crystallization, which are considered to be strongly influenced by the temperature and concentration distributions in the liquid phase.

SCIENCE RESULTS FOR EVERYONE

This investigation looked at the solid-liquid (S/L) interface for crystallization, especially of flat faces on geometric shapes, or facets. Crystals tend to develop structural defects and capture impurities when generating a new facet. Data was obtained on high-resolution temperature and concentration in the solid/liquid interface and the relationship between growth rate and kinetics undercooling, a driving force of crystal growth. Researchers observed breakdown of the growth interface at maximum kinetics undercooling and splitting of the S/L interface by dense t-butyl alcohol, which decreased the melting point. This experiment could help explain the process of facet growth and its application to material manufacturing processes.

Experiment Description

RESEARCH OVERVIEW

In order to investigate the phenomena at the solid-liquid interface in facet growth, in-situ observation of concentration and temperature diffusion field with two wavelength interferometer are carried out using transparent organic materials under microgravity condition. Results can provide the useful data on the optimization of the crystal growth condition not only in space but also on earth.