Modeling the coupled effects of interfacial and bulk phenomena during solution crystal growth

We present a self-consistent, continuum model for the growth of a vicinal f acet from solution, which couples surface phenomena and bulk effects. The s urface kinetic model, based on the theory of Burton, Cabrera, and Frank (BC F), rigorously accounts for the interactions of discrete growth steps throu gh surface diffusion fields, adsorption and desorption events, ledge growth kinetics with Schwoebel effects, and convective transport due to step moti on. This model is self-consistently coupled with a bulk transport model whi ch describes bulk diffusion to terraces, direct bulk diffusion to growth st eps, and bulk convective transport due to step motion and applied flow fiel ds. No analytical approximations are made, rather the simultaneous governin g equations are solved numerically by an efficient, moving boundary finite element method. Results from a number of benchmark simulations are discusse d. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.