The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Loss of clarity from storing their scopes in dark safes or closets?

Jimro · December 1, 2012, 07:47 PM

30Cal,

I really doubt it would be Thorium decay. Naturally occurring Thorium has a half life of 14 billion years. As far as I know, Thorium was never an additive to optical glass, although as a heavy metal I guess it could be used as a substitute for lead in "lead crystal" to some extent.

I'm a chemistry guy, but I never got around to solid state chemistry as far as how it interacts with crystallography. I'm sure someone on this forum knows what heavy metals are used in different brands of optical glass.

Jimro

December 1, 2012, 07:47 PM	#13
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	30Cal, I really doubt it would be Thorium decay. Naturally occurring Thorium has a half life of 14 billion years. As far as I know, Thorium was never an additive to optical glass, although as a heavy metal I guess it could be used as a substitute for lead in "lead crystal" to some extent. I'm a chemistry guy, but I never got around to solid state chemistry as far as how it interacts with crystallography. I'm sure someone on this forum knows what heavy metals are used in different brands of optical glass. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.