Promethium Applications

Promethium-147 with half-life of 2.64 years is practically the most important. It is used as a beta radiation source in mini-batteries with duration of several years, in radioisotopes heart stimulators, clocks, Promethium-147 batteries work using phosphor to absorb the beta radiation and produce light, which in its turn is converted into electricity. Only 5 mg of Promethium-147 is spared per one battery.

Specificity of promethium is that it does not emit gamma rays, but just soft beta radiation trapped even by thin layer of phosphor and battery case.