The influence of crystalline anisotropy on the evolution of the crystallization front during directional solidification

The evolution of the crystallization front of transparent crystals of succinonitrile and pivalic acid in the course of directional solidification in the field of a temperature gradient (Bridgman method) is investigated experimentally. The influence of crystalline anisotropy is examined using single crystals of different orientations. Bulk (cylindrical) and planar single crystals of the materials under investigation are studied and compared for the first time. It is established that the crystallographic direction of growth plays an important role and determines the structure of the crystallization front at different stages of its evolution. New manifestations of the dynamic effects responsible for the development of the nonstationary periodic structure are revealed. (C) 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc.