Thallium bromide (TlBr) crystal of 8-mm-diameter, preferentially oriented in [110] direction has been prepared using a melt-based method without mechanical vibrations. Analyses on the crystal quality and growth process were made based on characterizations of X-ray diffraction, rocking curve, ultraviolet absorption and transmittance spectrum. Most section of the crystal exhibits crystalline perfection and low stress, and its bandgap was calculated to be 2.88 eV. Influence of ampoule diameter on crystal quality has been discussed. Resistivity of the material was measured to be over 10(10)Omega cm. Spectroscopic response of the fabricated detectors to Am-241 shows 59.5 keV peak with the resolution of 38.27%. (c) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.