We have proposed to grow a CdZnTe crystal without wall contact (detached solidification) using a unique soft wall technique. An integrated numerical model for detached solidification has been developed combining a global heat transfer sub-model and a wall contact sub-model for the proposed modified Bridgman system. The global heat transfer sub-model accounts for heat and mass transfer in the multiphase system, convection in the melt, macro-segregation, and interface dynamics. The wall contact sub-model accounts for detached growth process. The detached growth mechanism is similar to that proposed by Duffar et al. Simulations have been performed to understand the effects of various parameters, e.g., growth angle, wetting angle, geometric configuration, and gravity on CdZnTe detached growth. Results show that detached gap width is dependent on growth angle, wetting angle, and gap width and shape of the fins. The effects of the Grashof and Marangoni numbers on the shape of growth front, Zn concentration distribution, and radial segregation are studied. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.