Preparation and characterization of pure and Pr(III)-doped lead chloride single crystals grown by modified micro-pulling-down method

• Crystal growth of pure and Pr3+-doped lead chloride by the micro-pulling-down method.
• Prepared single crystals were transparent with no visible cracks and inclusions.
• Optical and luminescence characterization of prepared lead chloride single crystals.

Single crystals of lead chloride pure and doped with Pr(III) were grown for the first time using the modified micro-pulling-down method. Due to hygroscopicity of both lead chloride and doping Pr(III) chloride the standard micro-pulling-down apparatus had to be equipped with a removable protective chamber. Prepared single crystals 25 mm long and 3 mm in diameter were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction and DSC thermal analysis. Optical and luminescence characteristics of lead chloride single crystals, such as absorption, radioluminescence, photoluminescence, and decay curves, were measured as well.