Tm
168.930Thulium
Tulyum
Thulium is a lanthanide with atomic number 69. It is one of the least abundant rare earths and is known for thulium-170 portable X-ray sources, Tm:YAG surgical lasers, 2-micrometer fiber lasers and blue-green phosphor research.
69
168.93 g/mol
[Xe] 4f¹³ 6s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 31 | 8 | 2
1.25
9.321 g/cm³
1544.8 °C
1949.8 °C
Per Teodor Cleve
Thulium was discovered in 1879 by Per Teodor Cleve. Its name comes from Thule, an ancient name used for the far northern lands of Scandinavia.
Thulium-169
Natural abundance: 100%. The only stable natural thulium isotope.Thulium-170
Half-life: About 129 days. Artificial isotope used as a portable X-ray source.Tm₂O₃
Thulium(III) OxideLaser material precursor and phosphor research compound.Tm:YAG
Thulium-Doped YAGSurgical laser crystal near 2 micrometers.TmCl₃
Thulium(III) ChlorideResearch precursor for thulium compounds.- Thulium-170 as a compact radiation source for portable X-ray and industrial radiography devices
- Tm:YAG lasers near 2 micrometers for surgical and medical laser systems
- Thulium-doped fiber lasers and amplifiers in the 1.9-2.1 micrometer region
- Thulium oxide and thulium compounds in blue-green phosphor and laser research
Thulium has no known essential biological role and is rarely encountered outside specialized materials and isotope applications.
- Thulium is often described as one of the least abundant lanthanides.
- Thulium-170 can provide X-ray radiation without a conventional electrically powered X-ray tube.
- Tm:YAG lasers operate near a water-absorbing infrared region useful for soft-tissue surgery.
- Natural thulium is monoisotopic, consisting of thulium-169.
- Thulium has atomic number 69 and is a lanthanide.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹³ 6s².
- The common oxidation state is +3.
- Remember thulium for Tm-170 portable X-ray sources and Tm:YAG surgical lasers.
What is the atomic number of thulium?
The atomic number of thulium is 69.
What is the electron configuration of thulium?
Thulium has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹³ 6s².
What is thulium used for?
Thulium is used in Tm:YAG lasers, thulium-doped fiber lasers, portable X-ray source isotopes and specialized phosphor research.
What is thulium-170 used for?
Thulium-170 is used as a compact radiation source for portable X-ray and radiography applications.
Is thulium rare?
Yes. Thulium is one of the least abundant rare earth elements in Earth’s crust.
Does thulium have stable isotopes?
Yes. Natural thulium consists of stable thulium-169.