Explicit temperature coupling in phase-field crystal models of solidification

TL;DR

This paper introduces a phase-field crystal model for solidification that incorporates thermal transport, temperature-dependent lattice parameters, and elasticity, enabling detailed simulations of crystal growth phenomena.

Contribution

The work develops a novel PFC model that explicitly couples temperature and elastic effects, advancing mesoscale modeling of solidification processes.

Findings

Demonstrates faceted crystal growth from melt

Reveals dendritic growth patterns

Shows impact of thermal effects on crystal morphology

Abstract

We present a phase-field crystal (PFC) model for solidification that accounts for thermal transport and a temperature-dependent lattice parameter. Elasticity effects are characterized through the continuous elastic field computed from the microscopic density field. We showcase the model capabilities via selected numerical investigations which focus on the prototypical growth of two-dimensional crystals from the melt, resulting in faceted shapes and dendrites. This work sets the grounds for a comprehensive mesoscale model of solidification including thermal expansion.