What is the difference between the after glow luminescent pigments and self-powered trigalights?

The main difference is the activation of the luminescent. The after glow pigments need to be charged by external light, before they can illuminate in darkness, whereas the trigalights only need internal energy by the electrons from the decaying tritium to activate the pigments to illuminate. Due to the hermetic glass sealing the tritium stays in the capsule and there is no need of any other power or light sources. The radioactive decay has a half-life of 12.3 years, which means the duration of illumination is much higher for trigalights, compared to typical after glow pigments.

What are the applications for trigalights?

• Watch illumination hour hand/ minute hand / second hand / indices / marks / design
  
• Outdoor equipment like compass, knifes and equipment markers
• Tactical iron sight illumination as front and rear sight. trigalights are encapsulates as inserts. The trigalight are often combined with optical fibres
  
• Aerospace and aeronautical industries, as illumination of monitors- and measuring devices
• Escape route and exit signs illumination

What is the difference between traser, trigalight and mb-microtec?

mb-microtec is a Swiss company that owns several brands such as traser, trigalight and swisatec. trigalight is a brand and refers to the self-lighting technology from mb-microtec. In colloquial terms, the term trigalights also refers to the lighting element or the technology itself. The trigalights are used in the brand traser, mb-microtec's own watch brand. The swisatec brand is the company's newest and stands for safety illumination technology relating to the use of firearms.

Which type of radio activity does exist and what does it mean for trigalight?

Alpha radiation:
During alpha decay, the decaying atomic nucleus emits a helium-4 atomic nucleus (alpha particle). This consists of 2 protons (positively charged particle) and 2 neutrons (neutral particle). Alpha radiation penetrates matter only with difficulty, which is why it can be shielded by a thin sheet of paper.
Beta radiation:
Beta radiation is divided into 2 types. beta-minus and beta-plus radiation: In beta minus decay, a neutron in the atomic nucleus is converted into a proton. This process produces an electron, which is emitted Tritium undergoes beta-minus decay to produce Helium-3. In beta-plus decay, a proton in the atomic nucleus is converted into a neutron. This produces a positron, which is emitted. Beta radiation can usually be shielded well by material just a few millimetres thick, such as Plexiglas, glass or a thin metal plate.
Gamma radiation:
The excited nucleus (exhibits increased energy) "oscillates" rapidly for a while, emitting energy in the form of wave-like gamma radiation. Gamma radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation and has the ability to easily penetrate matter, which is why it is difficult to shield. This requires a very thick layer of concrete or lead.

What about the regulations of radio activity and tritium?

Every country has its own regulations and laws regarding radioactive substances. It is very important to comply with these and to work with the relevant authorities. There are well established markets like the USA, UK and the Netherlands but also very restrictive ones like France. As a rule, a product registration, an import and export license as well as special transport and handling licenses are required. mb-microtec is very familiar with the regulations and can ensure appropriate services in acquiring the necessary know-how and licenses.