How is the radioisotope tritium used?

Answer 1

• as boost gas in hollow core variable yield fission bombs
• with deuterium as fuel for cryogenic liquid fueled fusion bombs
• with deuterium as boost gas mix in sealed hollow core high efficiency fission bombs or fission triggers for fusion bombs
• in electric pulse neutron sources
• as a radioisotope tracer for hydrogen in molecules
• in sealed ampules in some "glow in the dark" watches and instruments to make a phosphor glow so the display is visible (sort of a "safer" replacement for radium)
• in neon lamps and signs to help them start faster and more consistently
• etc.

Answer 2

Tritium is used for glow in the dark watches. They used to make keychains out of them but the government banned them being "Hazardous".

Next Answer:

Tritium watches and tritium keychains are not illegal in most countries. Although they are subject to certain regulations concerning export and import in the US and the UK, they are readily available for purchase by civilians. Certain European nations have banned them, or certain devices using them.

The watch dials, in particular, are useful. The radiation level generated by tritium gas tubes (which is what they are) is miniscule, about 4 microsieverts per year. You get about the same amount of radiation from standing outside in the sun for a couple of hours.

Tritium gas tubes are basically glass tubes with a phosphor coating on the inside. This phosphor coating is the same sort of stuff used on other "glow in the dark" items like stickers. Usually, the radiation from a lamp or the sun powers these items. With a tritium tube, a small amount of tritium gas is encased inside the tube, and it is the radiation from the tritium that excites the phosphor coating. The result is a self-powering light source that doesn't require being "charged".

Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. It has 1 proton and 2 neutrons, and emits very low energy beta radiation (electrons) that is easily stopped by the glass of the tube. Any minute amount that escapes the glass is too weak to even penetrate a sheet of paper, and your skin is more than enough protection.

Other uses for tritium include illumination of instrument clusters in aircraft and other vehicles (particularly military), emergency exit signs, and nuclear bomb triggering mechanisms.

Answer 3

Tritium is used to increase the efficiency of fission bombs and the fission stages of hydrogen bombs. It is also used in controlled nuclear fusion.

Answer 4

Absolutely, it makes a good tracer.