Growth and uniformity improvement of large-size PbWO4 crystal with PbF2 doping

PbF2-doped lead tungstate (PbWO4) scintillation crystals have been grown by the modified vertical Bridgman method along 〈0 0 1〉 orientation. Large-size PbWO4 crystals up to 200 mm in length and 24×24 mm2 in section have been obtained reproducibly. The uniformity of the crystal block has been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), longitudinal transmittance, X-ray excited luminescence and light yield. The results showed that Bridgman-grown PbWO4 crystals have good optical and scintillation uniformity.