Lead tungstate PbWO4 crystals for high energy physics

Main factors of the technological process of preparation of lead tungstate (PWO) scintillator crystals of large length are considered. Temperature range of thermochemical stability of PWO melt is determined. Effects of the oxygen content in the atmosphere during growth and annealing are studied. Optimum oxygen concentrations have been established, which allow one to obtain PWO scintillators up to 230 mm long with improved and reproducible functional characteristics.