Erbium (Er)
| Atomic Number | 68 |
|---|---|
| Atomic Mass | 167.2593 u |
| Category | Lanthanide |
| Electron Config | [Xe] 4f¹² 6s² |
| Appearance | silvery white |
| Density (STP) | 9066 g/L |
| Melting Point | 1802 K |
| Boiling Point | 3141 K |
| Electronegativity | 1.24 (Pauling) |
| Ionization Energy | 589.3 kJ/mol |
| Atomic Radius | 175 pm |
| Crystal Structure | Simple Hexagonal |
| Discovered By | Carl Gustaf Mosander (1842) |
Brief Introduction
Erbium (Er) is a soft, silvery rare earth metal with a bright, metallic luster. It is reasonably stable in air and has important applications in fiber optic communications. Key details about Erbium (Er) are as follows:
Uses: Used in fiber optic amplifiers (erbium-doped fiber amplifiers, EDFAs, for telecommunications), lasers (erbium-YAG laser for medical and dental applications), nuclear reactor control rods, metallurgical additives, and as a pink colorant for glass and porcelain.
Production/Extraction: Extracted from monazite and bastnäsite ores. Moderately abundant among rare earth elements. China is the dominant producer.
History: Discovered in 1843 by Carl Gustaf Mosander in Sweden by separating it from yttria. Named after Ytterby, Sweden (fourth element named after this village).
Health Effects & Safety: Low toxicity. No known biological role. Erbium compounds should be handled with standard rare earth precautions. Generally considered safe.
Price/Market: Moderate pricing. Major demand from fiber optic telecommunications industry. Supply relatively stable compared to other rare earths.
Properties: Soft and malleable, exhibits +3 oxidation state, paramagnetic, excellent optical properties for fiber amplification at 1550 nm wavelength (telecommunications window), and forms pink-colored compounds.
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