The existence of a new α′-HgI2 phase and its use for growing single crystals of α-HgI2

Abstract
The existence of a new red α’‐HgI2 phase that occurs in a narrow temperature range prior to melting has been established. This phase allows the growth of single crystals within its stability range, which after quenching retain their monocrystallinity and transform to α‐HgI2. The method is used to prepare single crystals of any desired volume either pure or doped.