Thulium: Applications and Properties
Thulium, represented by the symbol Tm, is a rare earth metal with atomic number 69. It is one of the least abundant elements on earth, with an estimated concentration of only 0.5 parts per million in the Earth’s crust, making it a rare and valuable commodity.
Thulium has unique properties that make it highly useful in various applications. This article explores the different applications of thulium and its properties.
Density and Characteristics
Thulium is a silvery-white metal that is relatively soft and ductile. It has a density of 9.32 g/cm and is malleable, which means it can be easily shaped into different forms.
Thulium is highly reactive and tarnishes quickly when exposed to air. It is rare for thulium to be found in its pure form, instead, it is usually found in minerals such as monazite and xenotime.
Isotope Range
Thulium has 33 isotopes, with natural thulium consisting of a single isotope, thulium-169. The isotopes of thulium range from 145 Tm to 179 Tm, with the most stable being 171 Tm, which has a half-life of 1.93 years.
Thulium isotopes can be used in various applications such as nuclear medicine and nuclear imaging.
Applications of Thulium
Thulium has unique properties that make it useful in various applications. Some of these applications include:
X-ray Source
Thulium-170 can be used as a radiation source in industrial radiography and radiation therapy. It emits gamma rays, which can penetrate through materials and are used to detect defects in steel or aluminum.
Laser
Thulium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Tm:YAG) is a popular laser medium. Tm:YAG lasers emit in the infrared range and can be used for military applications, as well as in superficial tissue ablation and fiber lasers for communication.
Conductors
Thulium arsenide is a superconductor at low temperatures. Superconductors have zero resistance to electrical current flow, which makes them useful in various fields like power generation and transportation.
Microwaves
Thulium ferrites can be used in microwave and magnetoelectric devices. Thulium ferrites are durable and can resist corrosion, making them useful in environments where exposure to the elements is common.
Radiation Instruments
Thulium halides are used in personal radiation dosimeters. These devices are used to measure radiation exposure in individuals who work in radioactive environments such as nuclear power plants or research facilities.
Alloys
Thulium can be combined with other metals to form alloys. These alloys have unique properties that make them useful in various fields like the aerospace industry, which requires materials that can withstand high temperatures and pressures.
Nuclear Study
Thulium can be used in nuclear studies to create arc lighting. Thulium could also be used as a source of radiation for industrial and medical applications, such as radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Thulium has unique properties that make it useful in many applications such as x-ray sources, lasers, conductors, microwaves, radiation instruments, alloys, and nuclear studies. Its relative rarity adds value to its use in electrical, electronic and chemical industry.
Its applications and increasing utilization have made it a valued and critical element in our lives. Thulium is a rare earth metal that has unique properties making it highly valuable in various practical applications.
Key areas where it is used include radiation sources, lasers, conductors, microwaves, radiation instruments, alloys, and nuclear studies. Thulium’s rarity adds value to its usage in the electrical, electronic, and chemical industry.
Its applications and growing utilization make it a crucial element in our lives.
FAQs:
1.
What makes thulium unique? Thulium has distinct characteristics such as malleability, ductility, and tarnish that make it a valuable rare earth metal.
2. What are the applications of thulium?
Thulium has various practical applications, such as x-ray sources, lasers, conductors, microwaves, radiation instruments, alloys, and nuclear studies. 3.
What is superconductivity? Superconductivity refers to the absence of electrical resistance in certain materials when cooled to extremely low temperatures.
Thulium arsenide is a superconductor at low temperatures. 4.
Is thulium safe? Thulium is not inherently dangerous, and the risks associated with its use stem from its radioactivity, which can be managed through safety measures appropriate to the application.
5. Where is thulium found?
Thulium is a rare and costly element, found primarily in veins in the Earth’s crust. It is usually obtained as a byproduct of mining other rare earth metals, such as lanthanum or cerium.