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.