Thulium (Tm), a rare earth element, is utilized in various advanced technological applications. It is employed in portable X-ray devices for medical and dental purposes, where its compact and lightweight nature is beneficial. Thulium serves as a radiation source in certain X-ray machines, emitting X-rays when bombarded with electrons.

Thulium-doped materials are used in solid-state lasers for surgical procedures and in fiber optics for telecommunications. Thulium lasers emit infrared light, making them suitable for medical applications such as laser surgery and skin treatments, as well as in optical communication systems and high-precision distance measurement devices like rangefinders.

Additionally, thulium is incorporated into radiation detectors, particularly gamma-ray scintillators, due to its efficient conversion of radiation energy into light. This property supports applications in physics research and medical imaging, such as gamma tomography.

In advanced ceramics, thulium acts as a dopant to improve material properties, including high-temperature resistance and electrical conductivity, for specialized electronic applications. It also finds use in high-temperature superconductors. Its luminescent properties are valuable in arc lighting and glow-in-the-dark materials. Ongoing research explores thulium's potential in high-performance batteries and future electronic devices.