Na2Mo2O7 scintillating crystals: Growth, morphology and optical properties

• Published in: Journal of crystal growth 2019-02, Vol.507, p.31-37
• Main Authors: Grigorieva, Veronika D., Shlegel, Vladimir N., Ivannikova, Nina V., Bekker, Tatyana B., Yelisseyev, Alexander P., Kuznetsov, Artem B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: A1. Low thermal gradient Czochralski technique; A1. Luminescence; A1. Na2Mo2O7 crystal; B1. Neutrinoless double beta decay; B2. Optical materials; Crystal growth; Crystal morphology; Crystals; Czochralski method; Morphology; Optical properties; Photoluminescence; Raman spectra
• ISSN: 0022-0248; 1873-5002
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2018.10.058

•Large Na2Mo2O7 crystals were grown by low-thermal-gradient Czochralski technique.•Na2Mo2O7 morphology and its dependence from growth direction were studied.•Three cleavage planes (0 1 0), (0 0 1) and (0 2 1) were detected.•Na2Mo2O7 photoluminescence, thermostimulated luminescence, Raman spectra were studied. For the first time Na2Mo2O7 crystals were grown by Czochralski technique in low-thermal-gradient conditions (LTG Cz), which allowed obtaining crystals of record size (100 (D) × 45 (L) mm3) and optical quality. Influence of growth rate and seed direction on crystal morphology was studied, optimal growth conditions were determined. Three cleavage planes: (0 1 0), (0 0 1) and (0 2 1), were detected. Different characterizations of Na2Mo2O7 crystal samples, such as: transparency, photoluminescence, thermostimulated luminescence and Raman spectra were studied.