Preface

A. Muiżnieks

Department of Physics, University of Latvia, 8 Zellu str., LV-1002 Riga, Latvia

Abstract
The Workshop ``Use of Magnetic Fields in Crystal Growth'' was organized by the Institute of Physics of University of Latvia together with the Department of Physics of University of Latvia and held on December 5-6, 2004, at the Department of Physics of University of Latvia, 8 Zellu str., Riga. The workshop was organized in the framework of the supported by EU project ``Development of the Institute of Physics of University of Latvia for European Centre of MagnetoHydroDynamics Research'' (2003--2005, Research Programme: GROW-2001, coordinator of the project Dr. Janis Priede) and in the framework of the COST action P6, Magnetohydrodynamics, Working Group 2 ``Use of Magnetic Fields in Crystal Growth'' (coordinator asoc. prof. Dr. Andris Muiznieks, who was responsible for the workshop organization). The goal of the Workshop was to discuss the use of magnetic fields in crystal growth through mathematical analysis, numerical modeling and experimental investigations. Important part of reports was devoted to the crystal quality, e.g., occurrence and density of dislocations, distribution of dopants in semiconductors and growth stability. Other important aspects were: melt flow, turbulence, mass transport in the melt, melt flow stability and instability, shape of crystallization interface, etc. About 30 scientists from Latvia, Germany and the United Kingdom took part in the Workshop and 24 oral presentations were contributed. These presentations have shown the state of art in understanding the use of magnetic fields in crystal growth in such scientific centers as Forschungszentrum Rossendorf, Germany; Department of Physics, University of Latvia, Latvia; Institute for Electrothermal Processes, University of Hanover, Germany; Kristallographisches Institut, University of Freiburg, Germany; TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Institut fur NE-Metallurgie und Reinststoffe, Germany; Siltronic AG, Burghausen, Germany; Institute for Crystal Growth, Berlin, Germany; Coventry University, School of Mathematical and Information Sciences, the United Kingdom; Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, Salaspils, Latvia. This Special Issue of the MagnetoHydroDynamics Journal includes selected presentations offered at the Workshop. Because the preparation of the scientific papers has required much time and effort, we are very thankful to all authors, who have supplied us with their papers. We hope that this Special Issue will support the exchange of ideas inside the community of the researchers in the field of crystal growth.