Simulation Tool for Experiments in the Crystal Growth Furnace

A comprehensive simulation tool for crystal growth experiments based on the NASA Crystal Growth Furnace (CGF) is to be developed. The simulator will be modular and will consist of numerical models of the CGF,charge cartridge,and crystal growth process. The computational modules will be seamlessly integrated into a single platform equipped with powerful graphics user interfaces. The simulator will capture the detailed geometry of the furnace and cartridge, and will rigorously model radiative interactions involving semi-transparent media. The crystal growth model will provide for dynamic simulation of the solidification process tracking evolution of the crystal-melt interface, temperature and thermal stresses in the crystal, and dopant concentration in the melt. The simulator is envisaged to be a stand-alone computational facility accessible over data networks,providing researchers capability to conduct high-fidelity large-scale simulation of crystal growth experiments in space without becoming involved with details of the computational tasks.