SOME RECENT ADVANCES IN RADIOACTIVE SELF-LUMINOUS AIDS TO NIGHT MILITARY ACTIVITY

摘要

The characteristics and properties of some recently developed radioactive self-luminous sources of light excited by the radioactive isotope krypton-85 are described. Of particular interest are the railway switch light, the hand lanterns, and flashlights. These are simple, rugged, long-life sources which do not depend upon complicated sources of power that may fail at critical times. The ability of the eye when fully dark adapted to read or work in a dark room with these sources of light has been determined, also, the distances that the sources are visible in the dark, the limit of visibility of the brightest being about 2500 feet. Radio?active hazards are discussed and shown to be neglibible.