Evaluation of solidification process control using a PMZF furnace designed for microgravity materials processing

摘要

A 24 zone Programmable Multi-Zone Furnace (PMZF) has been in continuous development and application since 1984, to achieve precise cortrol of furnace and melt temperature conditions established by Grumman scientists for microgravity materials processing. Extremely precise temperature control of each zone was achieved during crystal growth (+- 0.1 deg C most of the time). This level of temperature and profile control provides a powerful tool for materials research. The most advanced PMZF system is being used by Grumman scientists for seeded Bridgman growth of high quality CdZnTe compound semiconductors, establishing a 1-g baseline for space flight experiments on USML-1 and USML-2.