Yes, it was called a "booster" or "boosting agent" to improve/enhance the efficiency of the fission within fission type atomic bombs. Ultimately this might also enhance yields and help to prevent a fizzle.Originally Posted by VE7DCW
I think tritium is a byproduct of nuclear reactors. This rather expensive gas is collected and sold for various purpose. One common purpose is radioluminescence. I thin Navy Seal watches were among the first to use it for illuminating watch dials. Of course it's now available for a wide range of illumination from gun sights to instruments to keychains. I don;t think beta exposure is much of an issue since it barely read on my Geiger counter. But if I put the face of a 50+ year old radium watch next to my counter it clicks like mad. The problem with old radium painted dials is that they last for well over 1000 years but the radium also decays into radon, polonium. Radium generally emits alpha particles but its daughter isotopes start giving off beta and gamma rays as the radium decays. Also as they age the binder in the paint starts to wear out and thus the radioactive paint can crumble and flake off as a fine dust. This can be risky if you need to open and fix and old radium dial watch. You have to be careful not to inhale or swallow any minute dust particles. A disposable mask and gloves are recommended. I have a couple old radium pocket watches I wear occasionally. But I am hesitant to remove the crystal or open them to work on. If they break down they stay that way. Tritium is much safer in that the tritium is sealed in tiny glass vials. If you accidentally break one all you need do is leave the area for a little while to allow the minuscule amount of gas to dissipate.I'm not a nuclear physicist,but I seem to remember reading somewhere that was what this material was used for.....if this flashlight was shielded enough to prevent radioactive exposure from beta decay then it seem an appropriate use for this dangerous material! :-|
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