Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
A series of numerical calculations of convection were performed for the YBa2Cu3O7−x (Y123) single crystal growth by the modified pulling method (Solute Rich Liquid Crystal Pulling method; SRL-CP method). The finite-difference method was used to calculate the steady state of the axisymmetric two-dimensional incompressible viscous fluid system. The effect of the crystal rotation on the flow pattern and the temperature distribution in the melt was studied. An increase of the crystal diameter and/or the crystal rotation rate increased the strength of the forced convection in the melt, and as a result, the temperature at the crystal growth interface increased. These results were consistent with the experimental results.