The purification, crystal growth, and spectral-luminescent properties of PbCl2:RE

Abstract This paper contains some details of the PbCl 2 :RECl 3 crystal growth process (RENd, Dy, Tb). The essential part of this process is the careful purification of both initial PbCl 2 and RECl 3 materials from non-isomorphic impurities, especially from O 2− and OH − ions. Method of chlorination, zone refining, and final process of PbCl 2 :RECl 3 single crystals growth are described. Luminescent spectra of Nd 3+ , Dy 3+ , and Tb 3+ doped PbCl 2 in the 4–5.5 μm spectral range are presented and decay times of 4 I 11/2 (Nd 3+ ), 6 H 11/2 (Dy 3+ ), and 7 F 5 (Tb 3+ ) levels are measured.