Work

CFD-Based Optimization of the Growth Zone in an Industrial Ammonothermal GaN Autoclave for Uniform Flow and Temperature Fields

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study presents a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation to investigate fluid flow and heat transfer within the growth zone of gallium nitride crystals synthesized via the alkaline ammonothermal method, with particular emphasis on the influence of seed crystal arrangement and installation geometry. The model analyzes temperature and velocity distributions, highlighting how seed configuration affects turbulent and transitional flow behavior. Key findings demonstrate the effectiveness of CFD in evaluating and optimizing growth zone design. Both simulation and experimental results show that achieving more uniform flow and temperature fields leads to more consistent growth rates and improved structural crystal quality. Furthermore, the study underscores the critical role of installation geometry in shaping flow characteristics such as velocity distribution, temperature gradients, and their transient fluctuations, factors essential for optimizing the ammonothermal crystallization process.

Source: Crystals

DOI: 10.3390/cryst15090754

Authors: Marek Zak, Pawel Kempisty, Boleslaw Lucznik, Robert Kucharski, Michal Bockowski

Institution: Institute of High Pressure Physics

Language: English

Topic: GaN-based semiconductor devices and materials

Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,534

Funders: European Commission, Uniwersytet Warszawski, Electronic Components and Systems for European Leadership, Interdyscyplinarne Centrum Modelowania Matematycznego i Komputerowego UW