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Fluorescent bulb initiator.
An example of the element Promethium

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Fluorescent bulb initiator.
I think the two wires on either side of the coil in this picture are coated with a tiny amount of promethium-147. This is one of the electrodes from the inside of a Philips compact fluorescent bulb which my research indicates contains the substance as an arc initiator. Arguing against the proposition is that even my very sensitive mica-window Geiger counter does not detect any radioactivity. That, however, could be because only a very small amount is required for the thing to do its job, and I may not be able to detect it above the background level
Source: bulbconnection.com
Contributor: Theodore Gray
Acquired: 8 March, 2008
Text Updated: 8 March, 2008
Price: $5
Size: 0.5"
Purity: 0%
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