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Experimental observation of oscillatory cellular patterns in three-dimensional directional solidification
1Institut Matériaux Microélectronique Nanosciences de Provence, Aix-Marseille Université and CNRS UMR 7334, Campus Saint-Jérôme, Case 142, 13397 Marseille Cedex 20, France.
Physical Review. E
|February 18, 2017
Summary
Cellular growth oscillations were studied in microgravity using directional solidification. Oscillation inhibition is linked to cell drifting, not just crystal disorientation, with short-range coherence observed in ordered regions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Physics
- Solidification Science
Background:
- Understanding cellular growth dynamics is crucial for materials science.
- Previous studies have explored oscillatory modes in cellular growth.
- Microgravity offers a unique environment to study solidification phenomena without gravitational influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze oscillatory modes during three-dimensional cellular growth in a diffusive transport regime.
- To investigate the influence of growth parameters, crystal orientation, and sample history on oscillations.
- To experimentally validate and extend previous theoretical and simulation-based findings.
Main Methods:
- In situ observations of directional solidification experiments.
- Utilizing a transparent succinonitrile-camphor alloy in microgravity on the International Space Station.
- Complementary phase-field simulations to support experimental data.
Main Results:
- Cellular patterns exhibited a uniform oscillation period despite array disorder and varied spacing.
- Oscillation inhibition was linked to a cell drifting velocity threshold, not solely crystalline disorientation.
- Array disorder limited long-range oscillation coherence, but short-range coherence persisted in ordered regions.
Conclusions:
- Cell drifting is a key factor in oscillation inhibition during cellular growth.
- Short-range order promotes phase-shifted oscillations in hexagonal and square cellular arrangements.
- Microgravity experiments provide critical insights into complex solidification dynamics.
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