Equilibrium Shape of a Molten Silicon Drop in an Electromagnetic Levitator in Microgravity Environment

For the electromagnetic levitation of a molten silicon drop in a microgravity environment, the effect of the electric current ratio of the heating coils to the levitation coils on the equilibrium drop shape was numerically investigated, using the mathematical model based on the hybrid finite element and boundary element methods. As a result, it was found that the drop shape becomes more prolate as the current ratio increases, and the calculated results were in good agreement with the experimental ones obtained in a microgravity environment using a drop tower.