Measurement of Transient Double Diffusive Convection and Crystal Growth Using Real-Time Phase-Shifting Interferometer

In the process of growing crystals in solutions, double diffusive convection due to thermal and solutal gradients occurs. A measurement system comprising a rapid heat-transfer control system and an accurate real-time phase-shifting interferometer has been developed to investigate the transient double diffusive convection. The heat-transfer control system has a small test-cell in which the liquid temperature is controlled by non-equilibrium thermoelectric devices. In-situ measurement of the transient double diffusive convection and crystal growth rates of NaClO₃ are carried out by using this system. Transient double diffusive fields are observed directly and clearly. The crystal growth rates in the present experiments show similar tendencies to the data of microgravity experiments.