Phase-field modelling of solute trapping during rapid solidification of a Si–As alloy

The effect of nonequilibrium solute trapping by a growing solid under rapid solidification conditions is studied using a phase-field model. Considering a continuous steady-state concentration profile across the diffuse solid–liquid interface, a new definition of the nonequilibrium partition coefficient in the phase-field context is introduced. This definition leads, in particular for high growth velocities, to a better description of the available experimental data in comparison with other diffuse interface and sharp interface predictions.