What is Thulium used for?

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Thulium is used in medical lasers for surgery, as a radioactive source in portable X-ray devices, in high-power lasers for industrial applications like cutting and engraving, as a component in ceramic magnetic materials for microwave items, and in the manufacture of solid-state devices by doping calcium fluoride. It also appears as a security marker in euro banknotes.  
Medical Applications

• Lasers:
  Thulium-doped lasers are used in surgery to efficiently cut through tissue. 
• Portable X-ray Devices:
  A radioactive isotope of thulium, Thulium-170, is used in portable X-ray devices for medical, archaeological, and security applications. 

Industrial Applications

• Lasers:
  Thulium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Tm:YAG) lasers are powerful tools for industrial applications such as cutting and engraving materials. 

• Ceramic Magnets:
  Natural thulium is used to make ceramic magnetic materials for microwave items. 

• Electronics:
  Thulium is used to dope calcium fluoride, creating materials that enhance the efficiency of solid-state devices and semiconductors. 

Security Applications 

• Banknotes: Thulium is used as a security marker in euro banknotes, appearing blue under UV light to help prevent counterfeiting.

Other Uses

• Nuclear Reactors:
  Thulium is investigated for its ability to absorb neutrons and help control the reaction process in nuclear reactors. 

• Fibre Lasers:
  Thulium-doped fibres are used for amplifying light in the mid-infrared region, which is useful in fiber optic communications.