The process of melt growth of semiconductor crystals under low-gravity environment provides the commercial potential for the growth of compositional homogeneous and defect-free crystals. Residual accelerations on orbiting spacecraft cause convective motions and affect the quality of the grown crystals. The Lorentz force, induced by a magnetic field when the melt is electrically conductive, can decrease the intensity of cellular, buoyancy-driven convection. The unique condition of combining a low-gravity environment and a magnetic field will be performed by constructing a magnetic field flight apparatus. Phase I will design, fabricate, and test a cylindrical permanent magnet that can provide an axial field up to 2000 gauss for the growth furnace that lies coaxially inside. A magnetic field shielding system for the permanent magnet to shield stray magnetic fields will also be developed, fabricated and tested.It is anticipated that crystals of the best quality in both structural and homogeneous aspects will be processed for the magnet growth apparatus in an orbiting spacecraft. The size and design of this furnace system will provide a means to perform rapid quench or casting experiments under low gravity conditions either using KC-135 low-gravity flight or sounding rockets.magnet, space, materials processing, furnace.
