Tritium or Traser Watches
How Do They Work?
by Neil Rosenfeld
Tritium
(atomic symbol H3) is a radioactive isotope of the element hydrogen. The
chemical symbol is H. Tritium occurs naturally in the atmosphere from the
reaction of cosmic rays and air molecules. It is also produced in nuclear
reactors during production of electricity. Tritium is an atom of hydrogen with
one proton and 2 neutrons giving it an atomic weight of 3. Tritium has a
half-life of about 12-1/2 years. This means that 1/2 of the original amount
will decay in 12-1/2 years. While this half life is relatively brief in the
world of radioactive materials, this gives tritium some useful properties.
Tritium when encapsulated in
watches, exit signs, aircraft gauges and other applications, will glow for up
to 25 years. The radioactive decay of tritium is not dangerous to man in these
applications because it emits a very weak beta particle that can be stopped by
even a piece of paper. Some manufacturers use the term "traser" watches.
Luminox and other manufacturers use the "traser" name to denote their brand of
tritium watches. Whether it is called tritium or traser, the principal is the
same.
Since the tritium is encapsulated
in small packets made of glass or plastic, radiation doesn't reach the skin.
The benefits of this decay is a bright display that can easily be read at
night. The light emitted is not visible during the day, but at night, the glow
is very visible. The beta particles cause the phosphor that coats the capsule
to glow.
This makes tritium very popular
for night visibility applications.
Pilots, the military, police and
others like the visibility without having to press any buttons to read the
display. Several watchmakers are now using tritium or traser displays for
their watches. They have displays that far exceed the brightness of standard
luminescent watch dials that require "charging" by exposure to light. These
have become very popular watch styles with the general public as well as
military, pilots and law enforcement.
Tritium
and Traser watches come in many styles and prices. There is a style
for just about anyone. Now you can tell the time in the dark and look in style
at the same time.
The author maintains a website that carries Citizen,
UZI and Smith & Wesson Tritium Watches
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