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Erbium
Erbium (Er) is a silvery-white rare earth element belonging to the lanthanide series. It has a melting point of 1529 °C and is moderately reactive, especially at elevated temperatures. Typically extracted from monazite and xenotime ores, Erbium is separated using ion-exchange and solvent extraction techniques.
Goodfellow's high-purity Erbium products are designed to meet the needs of advanced research and industrial applications. Available in forms such as foil, powder, pellet, and rod, erbium is valued for its exceptional optical and magnetic properties. Its ability to absorb and emit light in the infrared spectrum makes it indispensable in telecommunications and laser technologies. Erbium is widely used in fiber optic amplifiers, nuclear reactor control rods, and as a colorant for specialty glass and ceramics. It plays a critical role in enhancing optical communication systems, improving display technologies, and supporting advanced medical lasers. Goodfellow's erbium products contribute to groundbreaking research in photonics, materials science, and clean energy solutions. Their unique properties make them essential for scientists and engineers developing next-generation technologies across diverse industries.
Properties
Identifiers
Isotopes
Applications
Grades
Synonyms
General Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Atomic Number | 68 |
| Density | 9.066 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1529 °C |
| Boiling Point | 2868 °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 14.5 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | 85 nΩ·m |
| Crystal Structure | Hexagonal Close-Packed (HCP) |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 280 MPa (approximate) |
| Yield Strength | Unknown / Not well defined |
| Young’s Modulus | 70 GPa |
| Hardness | Brinell ~520 (approximate) |
| Elongation at Break | ~20% |
| Poisson’s Ratio | 0.24 |
Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Corrosion Resistance | Moderate in dry air; forms protective oxide |
| Reactivity | Reacts with oxygen and acids; stable at room temperature |
| Oxidation States | +3 |
| Surface Oxide | Forms Er₂O₃ in air |
| Identifier | Value |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Er |
| Atomic Number | 68 |
| CAS Number | 7440-52-0 |
| UN Number | UN3089 (powder) |
| EINECS Number | 231-160-1 |
| Isotope | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Er-162 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~0.14% |
| Er-164 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~1.61% |
| Er-166 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~33.6% |
| Er-167 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~22.9% |
| Er-168 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~26.8% |
| Er-170 | Stable | Natural abundance: ~14.9% |
Scientific Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Laser Physics | Utilized in erbium-doped fiber lasers and amplifiers (EDFA) |
| Quantum Computing | Explored for quantum bits and optical coherence studies |
| Medical Imaging | Used in infrared contrast agents and photodynamic therapy |
| Spectroscopy | Employed in high-resolution emission studies |
| Photonics Research | Integrated in rare-earth-doped materials for light control |
Industrial Applications
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Telecommunications | Critical component in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA) |
| Glass Coloring | Adds pink hue to specialty and decorative glasses |
| Laser Equipment | Used in eye-safe medical and industrial laser devices |
| Alloying Agent | Improves mechanical and oxidation properties in alloys |
| Infrared Absorbers | Applied in thermal shielding and sensor components |
| Purity | Description |
|---|---|
| 99% (2N) | Commercial-grade Erbium for general alloying and optical uses |
| 99.9% (3N) | High-purity grade ideal for optical amplifiers, lasers, and research |
| Synonym |
|---|
| Er |
| Er metal |
| Er element |
| Erbium metal |
| Erbium element |
| Erbium rare earth metal |
| Erbium rare earth element |
| Element 68 |