Pattern formation in constrained dendritic growth with solutal buoyancy

Competing self-organization between the solidification pattern and the convection pattern in a directional solidification environment is investigated theoretically and by phase-field simulations. Melt flow introduces a mode of transport with broken symmetry dependent on the direction of growth relative to the vector of gravity. A stable and an unstable regime can be distinguished. The interaction between spacing selection and convection leads to a new type of scaling that explains results from phase-field simulations and solidification experiments under enhanced gravity.