Preventing quart-NaI adhesion in Bridgman growth using ammonium iodide

Abstract

Adhesion between NaI(Tl) single crystals and the walls of quartz ampoules remains a major limitation for Bridgman growth under sealed conditions, particularly for applications requiring ultra-radiopure scintillators for dark matter searches, where sealed handling is essential. In this study, ammonium iodide (NH4I) was used as an additive to generate HI in situ, thereby suppressing the NaOH-SiO2 reaction that forms adhesive sodium silicate phases. Small-diameter crystals (8 mm) were first grown to determine the NH4I concentration required to eliminate adhesion. The optimized condition was then applied to the growth of a large NaI(Tl) crystal. A crack-free and bubble-free NaI(Tl) crystal with dimensions of 3 inches in diameter by 3 inches in length was successfully grown. The crystal exhibited a light output of 59,000 photons/MeV, which is higher than that of the commercial NaI(Tl) crystals used as references in this study.