Thulium

Description

Thulium is representative of the other lanthanides (rare earths), similar in chemistry to yttrium. Notably, it is used as a dopant for garnets used as laser gain media, and such lasers are used in medical laser applications such as laser surgery as well as in industrial and military applications. The radioactive isotope thulium-170 can be produced in nuclear reactors and is found in portable x-ray devices used for medical diagnostics and manufacturing quality-control applications.

Additionally, this isotope can be used for radiotherapy cancer treatment. Thulium may be also used in high-temperature superconductors, magnetic ceramic materials, personal radiation dosimeters, and phosphors for use in anti-counterfeiting features of modern currency notes such as the Euro.

Thulium is available as metal and compounds with purities from 99% to 99.999% (ACS grade to ultra-high purity); metals in the form of foil, sputtering target, and rod, and componds as submicron and nanopowder.

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