What is it, a tritium flashlight?

Technologies do not stand still, and what previously seemed impossible is now becoming a reality. An example of the achievements of modern science and technology can serve as a tritium flashlight, which is used by the military, but is also available for ordinary citizens. The unique properties of tritium make it possible to use it in many branches of human activity. But most of all, the isotope is used in the military industry.

What it is?

Tritium, the isotope of the hydrogen atom, which has two neutrons and one proton, has an atomic mass, in comparison with the first chemical element of the periodic table. In nature it is formed as a result of the bombardment of various atoms by particles that come to Earth from outer space.

In industry, a lithium-6 isotope is irradiated to produce tritium in special nuclear reactors . The main sphere 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 fields of industry. Tritium is used to produce spectacular illumination of cars, watches. The famous tritium flashlight could not work without this isotope.

Principle of operation of lighting devices

The hydrogen isotope is used for the production of lighting devices based on radioluminescent illumination, also called trigallite, or GTLS. How does the Betalight torch tritium flashlight work? The beta-decay property of tritium and the interaction of radioactive particles with a phosphor are used:

1. The isotope is placed in a special transparent flask, on the inner surface of which is deposited a thin layer of phosphor - a substance that converts any absorbed energy into a light one.
2. Tritium, as a result of spontaneous beta decay, in view of its instability, emits charged particles, which transfer the photoluminophore molecules from the excited to the normal state.
3. As a result of such a transition, light energy is released, which is then directed and amplified by light reflectors.

This property of tritium is used in the military industry for lighting devices, as well as for marking flies on firearms. Among the devices produced for the mass buyer, most often you can find a tritium flashlight or key chain. 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 can successfully work during this time, slightly tarnished.

The second advantage of the tritium lantern is the complete absence of removable and fragile components. Originally it was designed to work in space, therefore, it does not have any switches and regulators.

The third advantage is high performance. The backlight has enough brightness to illuminate navigational maps, a road in caves, denote stopping places and potentially dangerous objects for other travelers. No external factors - temperature, air pressure - do not affect its operation.

The only drawback is a high price. To produce one kilogram of tritium, about $ 30 million is required. 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 with the content of tritium are radioactive - this is the basis of their work. Order of 200 millicuries highlights a modern tritium flashlight. Harm, however, on the body is not, because of the low energy of the emitted particles. Their power is enough only to overcome the distance of 6 mm, so they are easily delayed by clothing, rubber gloves, and can not even overcome the upper layers of the skin.

If you get into the body in pure form, the risk of exposure is minimal, since the element does not participate in metabolic processes and simply passes through the body. The most dangerous are pairs of tritium. In this case, connecting with oxygen, it forms "heavy water", which can fully participate in metabolic processes. But the period of its elimination is about two weeks, and during this time, with a single hit, the received irradiation does not pose a danger.

This same property imposes restrictions on the production of a tritium flashlight with their own hands. The periodic ingress of heavy water into the body causes undesirable consequences, which is why it is better to refuse such an invention. In addition, to establish handicraft production is impossible because of the high cost of the starting substance.