Reduction of hydrocarbon impurities in mercuric iodide

H. Hermon*, M. Roth, M. Schieber

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

A new approach to purification of mercuric iodide (HgI2), based on oxidation and "cracking" of hydrocarbons, is described. Oxidation of a number of materials at different stages of standard purification (repeated sublimations and/or melting) has been performed at 50°C in an oxygen flow. High temperature (900°C) "cracking" has been applied to elemental iodine used for vapor phase synthesis of HgI2, and it was found very efficient in removal for hydrocarbons. A number of direct and indirect analytical methods have been employed (and compared) to determine the residual concentration of carbon in the starting materials and single crystals. The carbon content is reduced to a level of 10 ppm in oxidized materials. An apparent improvement in charge transport properties of low carbon HgI2 crystals has been observed. Both electron and hole lifetimes increase in crystals grown from oxidized raw materials, and the energy resolution of HgI2 gamma-ray detectors is improved correspondingly.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)68-75
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Crystal Growth
Volume106
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Nov 1990

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