Development of modified micro-pulling-down method for bromide and chloride single crystals

Abstract: We developed a modified micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method for the crystal growth of halide materials with highly hygroscopic nature. A removable chamber system of the modified μ-PD method that can enter a globe box filled with Ar gas enabled to handle starting materials, set up a crucible and hot zone, grow a single crystal from the melt and take out a grown crystal without exposing to outside atmosphere. By the modified μ-PD method, CeCl3 and Ce 1% doped LaBr3 single crystals, which were famous as scintillator with high light yield and energy resolution were grown. Grown CeCl3 and Ce:LaBr3 single crystals indicated high transparency and they have no visible cracks and inclusions. In photoluminescence measurements, emission peak around 365nm was observed for CeCl3 single crystal and Ce:LaBr3 single crystal indicated two emission peaks around 360 and 380nm, which originated from 5d–4f transition of Ce3+ ion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]