Time-dependent, three-dimensional flow and mass transport during solution growth of potassium titanyl phosphate

A finite-element, numerical model is used to compute time-dependent, three-dimensional fluid flow, mass transfer, and continuum growth kinetics in the potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) solution crystal growth system of Bordui et al. The effects of a periodically-reversing crystal rotation schedule are analyzed for two different crystal-mounting geometries. Results suggest a lower probability of the occurrence of defects when the mounting geometry is designed to take advantage of periodic flow reversal effects on the supersaturation field.