Oxygen-Free Single Crystals of Lead Telluride, Selenide, and Sulfide

Abstract

Anomalies in the type of conductivity of artificially prepared crystals of lead selenide and lead telluride have been found to be the result of the presence of oxygen. A method has been developed for eliminating oxygen from the specimens by melting the elements into the crucible in an atmosphere of hydrogen. It has also been found possible to grow single crystals of lead sulfide when oxygen is eliminated from the specimen in this way.