Synthesis of Pbbeta with admixture of rare earth elements: Electrical and optical properties

Lead iodide is a promising material applicable for X-ray and gamma ray detectors operating at room temperature. It has been prepared by direct synthesis of elements lead and iodine and purified by zone melting. The Bridgman-Stockbarger method has been used for growth of single crystals. The influence of rare earth elements (cerium, gadolinium, terbium, holmium, erbium, thulium and ytterbium) on the quality of resulting material has been investigated. The electrical properties have been studied by the measurement of resistivity. Optical properties have been evaluated by using low temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy. (