| Summary: | In this study, we comparatively analyzed the physical properties of Hg<sub>2</sub>Br<sub>2</sub> and Hg<sub>2</sub>Br<sub>x</sub>Cl<sub>2−x</sub> crystals synthesized via physical vapor transport (PVT). Prior to crystal growth, the elemental mapping images obtained through scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy clearly showed the presence of Cl atoms (2.62%) in Hg<sub>2</sub>Br<sub>x</sub>Cl<sub>2−x</sub> powder; however, Cl atoms were not detected in Hg<sub>2</sub>Br<sub>2</sub> powder. After crystal growth by PVT, each single crystal was characterized using various analysis techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. It was observed that the introduction of Cl elements into Hg<sub>2</sub>Br<sub>2</sub> crystals strongly affected the crystallinity and Raman vibration modes. Hence, this in-depth material characterization study proposed a feasible method to screen impurities in mercury halide crystals.
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