S.M.A.R.T. Laboratory
Room 010A Ward - Crystal Growth Laboratory II (HgI2)

Mercuric iodide crystal growth, using the horizontal and vertical methods,is being pursued in Room 10A Ward Hall. At present, 10 vertical furnaces and 40 horizontal furnaces are on-line. HgI2 is purified through multiple steps before the material is used for crystal growth. After purification, HgI2 crystals are grown either through the vertical method, based on the procedure pioneered by Scholz and improved by EG&G, or the horizontal method, based on the procedure pioneered by Faile and improved by Renaissance Instruments.

Vertical HgI2 furnaces used to grow large HgI2 crystals. The vapor transport system allows for the user to nucleate a seed crystal and control the growth rate. The SMART Lab has 10 vertical furnaces in operation.
Vertical HgI2 furnaces used to grow large HgI2 crystals. The vapor transport system allows for the user to nucleate a seed crystal and control the growth rate. The SMART Lab has 10 vertical furnaces in operation.

A vertical vapor transport HgI2 furnace, showing the source material (upper side) and seeded crystal (center bottom) in the growth process.
A vertical vapor transport HgI2 furnace, showing the source material (upper side) and seeded crystal (center bottom) in the growth process.

Zone refiner for purification of mercuric iodide growth materials.
Zone refiner for purification of mercuric iodide growth materials.

HgI2 horizontal furnaces. The crystal growth method also uses vapor transport , but it does not allow for controlled nucleation. However, the horizontal method is quick and allows for many small crystals to be grown at one time in a single ampoule.
HgI2 horizontal furnaces. The crystal growth method also uses vapor transport , but it does not allow for controlled nucleation. However, the horizontal method is quick and allows for many small crystals to be grown at one time in a single ampoule.

The SMART Laboratory has 40 operating horizontal furnaces for HgI2 growth.
The SMART Laboratory has 40 operating horizontal furnaces for HgI2 growth.



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