Scientists at "Giredmet" have learned how to produce germanium of such purity that there is no more than one impurity atom per 10 million atoms. This refers to high-purity germanium (HPGe), which is needed for the production of semiconductor gamma and X-ray detectors.

The technology was developed by specialists from the "Giredmet" institute, part of Rosatom's chemical-technological cluster. They independently designed and manufactured an experimental setup on which they perfected the growth of ultra-high purity single crystals – at least 7N, i.e., 99.99999%.

The first experimental samples have already been obtained. Tests confirmed that the deep purification methods work and allow growing crystals with the characteristics required for detectors and spectrometers.

High-purity germanium (HPGe) is used in high-precision instruments that register gamma and X-ray radiation. Such equipment is used in nuclear physics, medicine, dosimetry, radiation control systems, nuclear material monitoring, and customs inspection.

Germanium is needed not only for detectors. Single crystals of this material are also in demand in infrared optics. They are used to make lenses, protective windows, and optical filters for devices operating in the mid and far infrared ranges.

The new technology should form the basis for a full cycle of production of such crystals and corresponding equipment in Russia. The next stage of the project is the transition from laboratory samples to pilot production of HPGe crystals for Russian spectrometer manufacturers.