We report on radioluminescence (RL) studies of the wide band gap semiconductors GaP and GaInAsP exposed to tritium gas. All samples were prepared by liquid phase epitaxy. RL tests were performed as a function of tritium pressure, sample temperature, and time, enabling the limiting factors for developing high efficiency visible RL sources to be identified. The studies were complemented by photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements. Reduction of surface recombination velocity was shown to be essential for obtaining low threshold CL response and improved PL efficiency. This factor resulted in tritium-activated RL visible to the naked eye. With appropriate materials optimization, these structures should be suitable for developing high efficiency RL devices. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.