magnetron from microwaves

Originally Posted by happyscraper

Oh wait I'm not finished yet. First part of this thread you showed everyone how to take the magnetron apart. Then the second part you tell everyone that there is radio active rods in the magnetron. Yes I am talking to you Gus.

Scroll down to, Thorium Compounds Thorium - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thorium dioxide was used to control the grain size of tungsten metal used for spirals of electric lamps. Thoriated tungsten elements are found in the filaments of magnetron tubes. Thorium is added because of its ability to emit electrons at relatively low temperatures when heated in vacuum.

Those tubes generate microwave frequencies and are applied in microwave ovens and radars.

I especially found this part interesting in that thorium is used in high quality camera lenses and that it can actually degrade the film.

Thorium dioxide is a material for heat-resistant ceramics, e.g., for high-temperature laboratory crucibles.When added to glass, it helps increase refractive index and decrease dispersion. Such glass finds application in high-quality lenses for cameras and scientific instruments. The radiation from these lenses can self-darken (yellow) them over a period of years and degrade film, but the health risks are minimal. Yellowed lenses may be restored to their original colorless state with lengthy exposure to intense UV light.

Yea I also use thoriated tungsten electrodes when TIG welding, not enough radiation to harm you, nor set off the scanners at the scrap yard is what I said.