On thermal conditions and properties of thallium bromide single crystals grown by the Electro Dynamic Gradient method

The Electro Dynamic Gradient (EDG) method has been proved to be a feasible way to grow TlBr crystals in our previous work. In this research, the influence of thermal conditions such as cooling rate during growth process on the crystal performance was investigated. Crystals of approximately 12 mm diameter were obtained by the EDG method at different cooling rates during the growth process, and the quality of the crystals was routinely evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) transmission, I–V measurement and energy response spectrum. The results proved that thermal conditions during growth had a profound influence on the characteristics of the crystals.

► Cooling rate during growth process strongly influenced the crystal quality. ► A suitable cooling rate reduced the amount of defects and new nuclei in the crystals. ► Good crystal quality was obtained at a cooling rate of 1.71 °C/h. ► The best charge transport properties were obtained at a lower cooling rate of 1.14 °C/h.