Thermal oscillations and their effect on solidification processes

Abstract

The experimental observations of temperature oscillations in liquids and gases undergoing free convection are reviewed. The theoretical methods used to study problems of this type are indicated, and the extent to which current theory can account for the observations is discussed. Evidence for the occurrence of convective temperature oscillations in crystal growth melts is presented and it is shown that they produce an inhomogeneous distribution of solute in the crystal commonly referred to as 'impurity striations'. Methods of eliminating this inhomogeneity are discussed