Thulium

Meet thulium, a silvery metal with the symbol Tm and atomic number 69. It's part of the lanthanide group, known as the "rare earth elements," and ranks as the thirteenth rarest on Earth. Despite its name, thulium is actually more abundant than elements like silver and iodine! Like other lanthanides, it's soft and malleable, and its most common form (β-Tm) has a hexagonal crystal structure.

This interesting element exhibits some unique magnetic behaviors. Below freezing temperatures, it becomes ferromagnetic, acting like a miniature magnet. When it warms up a bit, it switches to antiferromagnetism, where its tiny magnetic domains point in opposite directions. Above room temperature, it changes again, becoming paramagnetic and susceptible to external magnetic fields. Thulium also has two main isotopes, one of which can be used to create portable X-ray machines for medical applications.

While not as widely used as some other lanthanides, thulium finds its niche in specialized areas. Its specific wavelengths make it useful in certain types of lasers, like those used in eye surgery. It's also being explored for applications in solid-state memory and fuel cells. Though not currently known to have biological roles, thulium research continues to expand our understanding of this fascinating element and its potential uses in the future.

Hydrogen

Identity.

Thulium, element number 69, wears many hats. It's a silvery metal belonging to the "rare earth" lanthanide family, yet more abundant than some "common" elements. It shifts personalities depending on temperature, acting as a tiny magnet, then an antiferromagnet, and finally becoming open to external magnetism. While not essential for life, it finds its spotlight in specialized lasers for delicate surgeries and holds promise for future technologies like memory and fuel cells. This unique element continues to intrigue scientists, revealing its identity bit by bit.

Atomic Structure:

The nucleus consists of 69 protons (red) and 100 neutrons (blue). 69 electrons (green) bind to the nucleus, successively occupying available electron shells (rings). Thulium is a lanthanide in period 6, and the f-block of the periodic table. It melts at 1545 degrees Celsius.

History.

In 1879, Per Teodor Cleve, a Swedish chemist, embarked on a quest to purify erbium. Little did he know, his journey would lead him to discover not one, but two new elements! Cleve meticulously removed known contaminants, revealing a green oxide he named "thulia," after the ancient name for Scandinavia. This oxide held the key to thulium's existence.

Initially, only the oxide revealed clues about thulium's presence. Its unique spectral signature hinted at the unseen element within. It wasn't until later that Charles James, working in the US, finally managed to isolate pure thulium. While thulium was rare and challenging to work with, scientists persisted, unraveling its properties and unlocking its potential.

Paracelsus
Paracelsus

Early misconceptions led Cleve to slightly misspell the element as "thulium" instead of "thule," but the name stuck. Understanding thulium's unique magnetic behaviors and specific wavelengths opened doors to specialized applications. Today, thulium shines in medical lasers, holds promise for memory and fuel cell technology, and continues to inspire scientific exploration. Its journey from hidden oxide to versatile element embodies the spirit of scientific discovery.

Usage.

Thulium, once hidden within an oxide, now shines in diverse applications. It wields a laser scalpel in delicate eye surgeries, offering unparalleled precision. Its X-ray emitting form peers inside welds and aircraft wings, ensuring their safety. And research whispers of its potential in memory chips and fuel cells, hinting at a future brimming with technological possibilities. This rare element, once shrouded in mystery, now illuminates the path to medical marvels, industrial insights, and future innovations.

  • Medical Marvel: hulium's specific wavelengths make it the star of holmium lasers, used in delicate eye surgeries like removing cataracts and treating glaucoma. It offers precise tissue ablation with minimal surrounding damage, making it a valuable tool for ophthalmologists.
  • Industrial Inspection: Thulium's X-ray emitting isotope finds its niche in portable X-ray machines. These lightweight and compact devices are used for non-destructive testing in various industries, inspecting welds, detecting cracks in aircraft components, and even examining art for hidden details.
  • Future Horizons: While still in its early stages, thulium shows promise for advanced technologies. Research explores its potential in solid-state memory devices, offering faster and more energy-efficient data storage. Additionally, its unique properties might contribute to developing cleaner and more efficient fuel cells. The future holds exciting possibilities for this versatile element.
Some of the benefits of using Thulium are:
  • Thulium's specific wavelength in lasers like the holmium type allows for precise tissue ablation with minimal collateral damage. This makes it ideal for delicate procedures like eye surgery, offering improved recovery times and reduced side effects.
  • Compared to other laser options, thulium exhibits superior water absorption within tissues. This translates to efficient energy transfer and cleaner cuts, minimizing complications and maximizing treatment effectiveness.
  • Thulium isn't limited to medical marvels. Its unique properties extend to industrial tools like portable X-ray machines. These X-ray sources are compact and lightweight, facilitating non-destructive testing in various sectors, from ensuring weld integrity to examining art for hidden features.
  • Research delves into exciting possibilities for thulium beyond current applications. Its role in solid-state memory devices could revolutionize data storage, offering faster speeds and lower energy consumption. Furthermore, its contribution to developing cleaner and more efficient fuel cells promises a greener future.

Sources.

Thulium, the rare earth element with surprising versatility, doesn't exist as a free metal in nature. Instead, it hides within other minerals, waiting to be unveiled. The primary source is monazite, a phosphate mineral found in river sands worldwide. Thulium content in monazite is minuscule, around 0.007%, requiring specialized techniques like ion exchange and solvent extraction to separate it from its fellow lanthanides. While China currently leads in thulium production, other significant sources exist in the US, Brazil, India, and Sri Lanka. So, next time you gaze at a river sparkling in the sun, remember: tiny treasures like thulium might be nestled within its sands, waiting to be discovered and utilized.

Properties.

Magnestism Marvel: Thulium exhibits fascinating magnetic transformations depending on temperature. Below freezing, it acts like a tiny magnet (ferromagnetic). As it warms, it switches to antiferromagnetism, where its internal magnetic domains "anti-align." Above room temperature, it becomes paramagnetic, responding to external magnetic fields. This unique behavior paves the way for specialized applications.

Laser Light Champion: Thulium boasts specific wavelengths ideal for lasers used in medical applications. These particular wavelengths offer precise tissue interaction, enabling efficient and clean cuts with minimal damage. This makes it a valuable tool for delicate surgeries, particularly in ophthalmology.

X-Ray Emitting Star: A specific isotope of thulium has the remarkable ability to emit X-rays. This property finds a niche in portable X-ray machines, used for non-destructive testing in various industries. These lightweight devices can inspect welds, detect cracks in aircraft components, and even examine artwork for hidden details.