3D numerical simulation of Rayleigh-Bénard convection in an electrically conducting melt acted on by a travelling magnetic field

V. Socoliuc¹ , D. Vizman² , B. Fischer³ , J. Friedrich³ , G. Müller³

¹ National Institute for Research and Development in Electrochemistry and Condensed Matter, 1900 Timisoara, Romania
² Department of Physics, West University of Timisoara, 1900 Timisoara, Romania
³ Department of Crystal Growth, Fraunhofer-Institut für Integrierte Systeme und Bauelementetechnologie (IISB), 91058 Erlangen, Germany

Abstract
The influence of a travelling magnetic field (TMF) on Rayleigh--Bénard convection in an electrically conducting melt (Gallium) confined in a cylindrical crucible is investigated. It was found that up to certain values of the magnetic induction, the TMF acts to inhibit the thermal fluctuations and the azimuthal components of the flow. These features of the TMF are more effective when the field propagates downwards (i.e. when the Lorentz force is pointing downwards) or when the amplitude of the field (i.e. the Lorentz force) is greater at the bottom of the crucible. Table 1, Figs 9, Refs 11.