Products

Tm - Thulium

Tm(NO3)3.xH2O thulium nitrate powder

Tm2O3 thulium oxide nanopowder 

TmCl3.xH2O thulium chloride powder

TmF3 thulium fluoride powder

Thulium is a rare earth element with the symbol Tm and atomic number 69, part of the lanthanide series on the periodic table. It’s not found free in nature but in small quantities within certain minerals like monazite. 

Physical Characteristics

  • Appearance: Thulium has a bright, silvery-gray luster when freshly cut, similar to other rare earth metals.
  • Atomic Weight: 168.93422 u
  • Density: 9.32 g/cm³ at room temperature, making it relatively dense.
  • Melting Point: 1,545 °C (2,813 °F), indicating good stability under heat.

Applications

  1. Medical Devices: Thulium is used in portable X-ray machines as it emits X-rays when bombarded with electrons. Its isotopes, especially Tm-170, are used as radiation sources for cancer treatment, offering a safer alternative due to their lower radiation level compared to other materials.

  2. Solid-State Lasers: Thulium-doped YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) lasers are used in various medical (like laser surgery and dental procedures), industrial, and military applications due to their efficiency and the ability to operate at relatively unique wavelengths (around 2 micrometers), which is highly absorbed by water and biological tissues.

  3. Electronic Devices: It’s utilized in some semiconductor devices for doping materials to alter their electrical properties.

  4. Research and Development: Given its scarcity and cost, thulium is often used in research settings, particularly in studies involving its unique electromagnetic properties.

Compounds

  1. Thulium Oxide (Tm2O3): This oxide is used in special glasses and ceramics due to its ability to absorb infrared light. It is also a potential dopant for garnets in lasers.

  2. Thulium Fluoride (TmF3): This compound is used in the manufacture of certain kinds of glasses and in crystal lasers.

Asics on Thulium-Wikipedia