I Ordered a "Tritium" light keyring whilst on a website to order some Glowsticks for my daughters birthday party this weekend, and it arrived today.
I am totally Fascinated with it. Initially I was a little disappointed, but with Dark adapted Eyesight the glow is very surreal and very apparant, I have the blue version. I believe, Orange, pink and green are also available. It will continue to glow , gradually getting dimmer for up to 20 years with no outside stimulation source required.
For those not aquainted with the technology behind it, I will try and explain. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with a half life of about 12.5 years. It is produced artificially in Nuclear reactors and naturally to some extent in the upper atmosphere by the bombardment of hydrogen atoms by cosmic rays. Its primary use by mankind until recently along with Lithium Isotopes was the main fusion fuel for thermonuclear weapons, and thus is strictly controlled.
The Tritium lightsource works as follows. Tritium gas produced in a Nuclear reactor is injected into a phosphorous lined small borosilicate glass vial then laser sealed and set into a shaped piece of optical polycarbonate plastic. The Tritium Atoms beta decay into Helium 3 and thus release an Electron which collides with the phospher coating of the glass vial causing a flourescence and this is what causes the glow.
The low energy Beta radiation cannot penetrate human skin so its not considered a hazard unless the gas is inhaled or ingested, yet certian european countries have banned Tritiums use as a light source.
I am guessing that all of you who love lasers would love this too, a nuclear powered lightsource in the palm of your hand
I managed to get some nice Dark Macro photos of the glass vial, and will post the link to them on Imageshack when i reach my 20 posts mark
Jase
I am totally Fascinated with it. Initially I was a little disappointed, but with Dark adapted Eyesight the glow is very surreal and very apparant, I have the blue version. I believe, Orange, pink and green are also available. It will continue to glow , gradually getting dimmer for up to 20 years with no outside stimulation source required.
For those not aquainted with the technology behind it, I will try and explain. Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen with a half life of about 12.5 years. It is produced artificially in Nuclear reactors and naturally to some extent in the upper atmosphere by the bombardment of hydrogen atoms by cosmic rays. Its primary use by mankind until recently along with Lithium Isotopes was the main fusion fuel for thermonuclear weapons, and thus is strictly controlled.
The Tritium lightsource works as follows. Tritium gas produced in a Nuclear reactor is injected into a phosphorous lined small borosilicate glass vial then laser sealed and set into a shaped piece of optical polycarbonate plastic. The Tritium Atoms beta decay into Helium 3 and thus release an Electron which collides with the phospher coating of the glass vial causing a flourescence and this is what causes the glow.
The low energy Beta radiation cannot penetrate human skin so its not considered a hazard unless the gas is inhaled or ingested, yet certian european countries have banned Tritiums use as a light source.
I am guessing that all of you who love lasers would love this too, a nuclear powered lightsource in the palm of your hand
I managed to get some nice Dark Macro photos of the glass vial, and will post the link to them on Imageshack when i reach my 20 posts mark
Jase
