Production of high purity TeO2 single crystals for the study of neutrinoless double beta decay

High purity TeO2 crystals are produced to be used for the search for the neutrinoless double beta decay of Te-130. Dedicated production lines for raw material synthesis, crystal growth, and surface processing were built compliant with radio-purity constraints specific to rare event physics experiments. High sensitivity measurements of radio-isotope concentrations in raw materials, reactants, consumables, ancillaries, and intermediary products used for TeO2 crystals production are reported. Indications are given on the crystals perfection and how it is achieved and maintained in a large scale production process. Production and certification protocols are presented and resulting ready-to-use TeO2 crystals are described. (C) 2010 B.V. Elsevier By. All rights reserved.