Abstract
Experimental and numerical approach to convection of molten silicon was surveyed. Natural and Forced convection of molten silicon during Czochralski single crystal growth was directly observed using X-ray radiography. Flow pattem of the melt was monitored using a solid tracer method. The tracer, whose density and wettability were adjusted to that of molten silicon, was newly developed. Observed flow of natural convection of molten silicon in a crucible was not only steady but also transient, and not axisymmetric. This asymmetry is attributed to asymmetric temperature distribution within the crucible. The flow velocity of molten silicon in a 75 mm-diameter crucible was 10 to 20 mm/sec. The experimental results were compared with previous numerical calculations.
