Technology does not stand still, and what previously seemed impossible today is becoming a reality. An example of the achievements of modern science and technology is the tritium flashlight, which is used by the military, but is also accessible to ordinary citizens. The unique properties of tritium allow its use in many branches of human activity. But most of the isotope is used in the military industry.
What it is?
Tritium - an isotope of a hydrogen atom, which has two neutrons and one proton, has a greater atomic mass compared to the first chemical element of the periodic table. In nature, it is formed as a result of the bombardment of various atoms by particles falling on the Earth from outer space.
In industry, to produce tritium in special nuclear reactors, the lithium-6 isotope is irradiated. The main scope of its application is the basis for thermonuclear weapons, as well as fuel for nuclear power plants. In addition, it is used in geological exploration and in various industries. Tritium is used to produce spectacular lighting for cars and watches. The famous tritium flashlight could not work without this isotope.
The principle of operation of lighting devices
The hydrogen isotope is used to manufacture lighting devices based on radioluminescent backlighting, which is also called trigalight, or GTLS. How does the Betalight Torch tritium flashlight work? The property of beta decay of tritium and the interaction of radioactive particles with a phosphor is used:
- The isotope is placed in a special transparent flask, on the inner surface of which a thin layer of phosphor is applied - a substance that converts any absorbed energy into light.
- Tritium, as a result of spontaneous beta decay, due to its instability, emits charged particles, which transfer the photoluminophore molecules from the excited to the normal state.
- As a result of this transition, light energy is released, which is then directed and amplified by retroreflectors.
This property of tritium is used in the military industry to illuminate instruments, as well as to indicate flies on firearms. Among the devices produced for the mass buyer, most often you can find a tritium flashlight or keychain. They have a different color palette and design.
Advantages and disadvantages of tritium devices
An important advantage that a tritium flashlight has is its service life. The half-life of the hydrogen isotope is more than 12 years, respectively, the device will be able to work successfully during this time, slightly dull.
The second advantage of the tritium flashlight is the complete absence of removable and fragile components. Initially, it was designed to work in space, therefore, and does not have any switches and regulators.
A third advantage is high performance. The backlight is bright enough to illuminate navigational charts, the road in caves in the dark, indicate stopping places and
potentially dangerous objects for other travelers. No external factors - temperature, air pressure - affect its operation.
The only negative can be called a high price. It takes about $ 30 million to produce one kilogram of tritium. In view of this, even the smallest devices can have a price of several thousand rubles.
Tritium and its effect on the body
All elements containing tritium are radioactive - this is the basis of their work. Around 200 milliuri is distinguished by a modern tritium flashlight. Harm, however, does not occur on the body, due to the low energy of the emitted particles. Their power is enough only to overcome the distance of 6 mm, therefore they are easily delayed by clothes, rubber gloves, and can not even overcome the upper layers of the skin.
If it enters the body in its pure form, the risk of radiation is minimal, since the element does not participate in metabolic processes and simply passes through the body. Tritium fumes are a great danger. In this case, combining with oxygen, it forms "heavy water", which may well participate in metabolic processes. But the period of its elimination is about two weeks, and during this time, with a single hit, the received radiation is not dangerous.
The same property imposes restrictions on how to produce a tritium flashlight with your own hands. Periodic ingestion of heavy water into the body causes undesirable consequences, which is why it is better to refuse such an undertaking. In addition, it is impossible to establish artisanal production due to the high cost of the starting material.