S.M.A.R.T. Lab -

Dr. Elsa Ariesanti
MS-NE 2001; PhD NE 2011; Dr. Elsa Ariesanti attained her Ph.D. after working on a project with Prof. McGregor to develop a method to produce prismatic HgI₂ crystals using horizontal vapor growth. In doing so, she discovered the true chemical nature governing prismatic HgI₂ growth and developed more reliable methods of producing these crystals with high purity materials. The new process allows for the growth of elongated parallelepiped crystals with near perfect dimensions for Frisch collar detectors. Dr. Ariesanti fabricated Frisch collar HgI₂ detectors from her material, achieving room-temperature energy resolution of 1.7% FWHM at 662 keV. At graduation, Dr. Ariesanti had 10 published papers in archival journals and conference records, and also one patent pending. Dr. Ariesanti worked at Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc. in Watertown, MA, for seven years. She now works at Fisk University with Prof. Arnold Burger. Advisor: Douglas S. McGregor

Elsa Ariesanti inspects tiny HgI2 platelets remaining after an initial thermal sublimation purification step.

Elsa Ariesanti replenishes the cold trap for the mercuric iodide sublimation purification furnace.

Elsa Ariesanti makes fine adjustments to the HgI2 vertical furnace temperature. Shown on the furnace pedestal is a sizable HgI2 single crystal.

Elsa and Bridget inspect a large HgI2 crystal they have been growing using a vertical furnace.

HOLMES, the master HgI2 crystal.