AbstractThe growth of facets and the generation of twins onVGF (vertical gradient freeze technique) grown GaAs were investigated using DSL (diluted Sirtl‐like etchant with light) photoetching and transmission X‐ray topography. Due to the polarity of the (111) plane in GaAs, As facets are larger and more irregular than Ga facets and twins always occur on As facets. Twins are initiated at the change of boundary condition which is affected by temperature gradient and crucible shape. The mechanism of twin generation is explained by considering the edge concavity at the solid‐liquid interface and the supercooling required for initial nucleation of a facet. Twins are more often produced in Si‐doped crystals than undoped ones due to the constitutional super