Erbium
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225967231
2008-07-16T06:41:07Z
Flowanda
2184097
/* References */ removed commercial link
{{Elementbox_header | number=68 | symbol=Er | name=erbium | left=[[holmium]] | right=[[thulium]] | above=- | below=[[fermium|Fm]] | color1=#ffbfff | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_series | [[lanthanide]]s }}
{{Elementbox_periodblock | period=6 | block=f }}
{{Elementbox_appearance_img | Er,68| silvery white }}
{{Elementbox_atomicmass_gpm | 167.259[[List of elements by atomic mass|(3)]] }}
{{Elementbox_econfig | [[[xenon|Xe]]] 4f<sup>12</sup> 6s² }}
{{Elementbox_epershell | 2, 8, 18, 30, 8, 2 }}
{{Elementbox_section_physicalprop | color1=#ffbfff | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_phase | [[solid]] }}
{{Elementbox_density_gpcm3nrt | 9.066 }}
{{Elementbox_densityliq_gpcm3mp | 8.86 }}
{{Elementbox_meltingpoint | k=1802 | c=1529 | f=2784 }}
{{Elementbox_boilingpoint | k=3141 | c=2868 | f=5194 }}
{{Elementbox_heatfusion_kjpmol | 19.90 }}
{{Elementbox_heatvaporiz_kjpmol | 280 }}
{{Elementbox_heatcapacity_jpmolkat25 | 28.12 }}
{{Elementbox_vaporpressure_katpa | 1504 | 1663 | (1885) | (2163) | (2552) | (3132) | comment= }}
{{Elementbox_section_atomicprop | color1=#ffbfff | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_crystalstruct | hexagonal }}
{{Elementbox_oxistates | 3<br />([[base (chemistry)|basic]] oxide) }}
{{Elementbox_electroneg_pauling | 1.24 }}
{{Elementbox_ionizationenergies4 | 589.3 | 1150 | 2194 }}
{{Elementbox_atomicradius_pm | 175 }}
{{Elementbox_atomicradiuscalc_pm | 226 }}
{{Elementbox_section_miscellaneous | color1=#ffbfff | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_magnetic | no data }}
{{Elementbox_eresist_ohmm | ([[room temperature|r.t.]]) (poly) 0.860 µ}}
{{Elementbox_thermalcond_wpmkat300k | 14.5 }}
{{Elementbox_thermalexpansion_umpmk | ([[room temperature|r.t.]]) (poly)<br />12.2 }}
{{Elementbox_speedofsound_rodmpsat20 | 2830 }}
{{Elementbox_youngsmodulus_gpa | 69.9 }}
{{Elementbox_shearmodulus_gpa | 28.3 }}
{{Elementbox_bulkmodulus_gpa | 44.4 }}
{{Elementbox_poissonratio | 0.237 }}
{{Elementbox_vickershardness_mpa | 589 }}
{{Elementbox_brinellhardness_mpa | 814 }}
{{Elementbox_cas_number | 7440-52-0 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_begin | color1=#ffbfff | color2=black }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=160 | sym=Er
| na=[[synthetic radioisotope|syn]] | hl=28.58 h
| dm=[[electron capture|ε]] | de=0.330 | pn=160 | ps=[[holmium|Ho]] }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=162 | sym=Er | na=0.139% | n=94 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=164 | sym=Er | na=1.601% | n=96 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=165 | sym=Er
| na=[[synthetic radioisotope|syn]] | hl=10.36 h
| dm=[[electron capture|ε]] | de=0.376 | pn=165 | ps=[[holmium|Ho]] }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=166 | sym=Er | na=33.503% | n=98 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=167 | sym=Er | na=22.869% | n=99 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=168 | sym=Er | na=26.978% | n=100 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=169 | sym=Er
| na=[[synthetic radioisotope|syn]] | hl=9.4 [[day|d]]
| dm=[[beta emission|β<sup>-</sup>]] | de=0.351 | pn=169 | ps=[[thulium|Tm]] }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_stable | mn=170 | sym=Er | na=14.910% | n=102 }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=171 | sym=Er
| na=[[synthetic radioisotope|syn]] | hl=7.516 [[hour|h]]
| dm=[[beta emission|β<sup>-</sup>]] | de=1.490 | pn=171 | ps=[[thulium|Tm]] }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_decay | mn=172 | sym=Er
| na=[[synthetic radioisotope|syn]] | hl=49.3 [[hour|h]]
| dm=[[beta emission|β<sup>-</sup>]] | de=0.891 | pn=172 | ps=[[thulium|Tm]] }}
{{Elementbox_isotopes_end}}
{{Elementbox_footer | color1=#ffbfff | color2=black }}
'''Erbium''' ({{pronEng|ˈɝbiəm}}) is a [[chemical element]] with the symbol '''Er''' and [[atomic number]] 68. A rare, silvery, white metallic [[lanthanide]]; Erbium is a [[solid]] in its normal state. It is a [[Rare earth element|rare earth]] element, erbium is associated with several other rare elements in the [[mineral]] [[gadolinite]] from [[Ytterby]] in [[Sweden]].
== Characteristics ==
A [[valence (chemistry)|trivalent]] element, pure erbium [[metal]] is malleable (or easily shaped), soft yet stable in air, and does not [[oxidation|oxidize]] as quickly as some other [[rare-earth metals]]. Its [[salt]]s are rose-colored, and the element has characteristic sharp [[absorption spectra]] bands in [[visible light]], [[ultraviolet]], and near [[infrared]]. Otherwise it looks much like the other rare earths. Its [[sesquioxide]] is called [[erbia]]. Erbium's properties are to a degree dictated by the kind and amount of impurities present. Erbium does not play any known biological role, but is thought by some{{Who?}} to be able to stimulate [[metabolism]]{{Fact|date=October 2007}}. Erbium-doped glasses or crystals can be used as optical amplification media, where erbium ions are optically pumped at around 980nm or 1480nm and then radiate light at 1550nm. This process can be used to create [[lasers]] and [[optical amplifier]]s. The 1550nm wavelength is especially important for [[optical communications]] because standard single mode [[optical fibers]] have minimal loss at this particular wavelength.
A large variety of medical applications can be found (i.e. dermatology, dentistry) by utilizing the 2940nm emission (see [[Er:YAG_laser]]) which is highly absorbed in water (about 12000 1/cm).
== Applications ==
Erbium's everyday uses are varied. It is commonly used as a [[filter (photography)|photographic filter]], and because of its resilience it is useful as a metallurgical additive. Other uses:
*Used in [[nuclear energy|nuclear]] technology as a [[nuclear poison]], as in neutron-absorbing [[control rod|control rods]].
*Used as a [[dopant]] in [[optical amplifier|fiber-optic laser amplifier]]s.
*When added to [[vanadium]] as an [[alloy]], erbium lowers hardness and improves workability.
*[[Erbium oxide]] has a pink color, and is sometimes used as a colorant for [[glass]] and [[porcelain]]. The glass is then often used in [[sunglasses]] and cheap [[jewelry]].
*Erbium is also used to provide the pink color in cubic zirconia, also used in inexpensive jewelry. The pink color is especially intense and beautiful under white [[fluorescent lighting]].
*Erbium-doped [[optical fibers|optical silica-glass fibers]] are the active element in [[erbium-doped fiber amplifier]]s (EDFAs), which are widely used in [[optical communications]]. The same fibers can be used to create fiber [[lasers]]. Co-doping of optical fiber with Er and Yb is used in [[high-power Er/Yb fiber lasers]], which gradually replace CO<sub>2</sub> lasers for metal welding and cutting applications. Erbium can also be used in [[erbium-doped waveguide amplifier]]s.
*Erbium is commonly used in YAG lasers for cosmetic laser procedures and mild to medium depth skin resurfacing.<ref>Wrinkles.org</ref>
== History ==
Erbium (for [[Ytterby]], a town in [[Sweden]]) was [[discovery of the chemical elements|discovered]] by [[Carl Gustaf Mosander]] in 1843. Mosander separated "yttria" from the mineral [[gadolinite]] into three fractions which he called [[yttria]], [[erbia]], and [[terbia]]. He named the new element after the town of Ytterby where large concentrations of yttria and erbium are located. Erbia and terbia, however, were confused at this time. After 1860, terbia was renamed erbia and after 1877 what had been known as erbia was renamed terbia. Fairly pure Er<sub>2</sub>[[oxygen|O]]<sub>3</sub> was independently isolated in 1905 by [[Georges Urbain]] and [[Charles James]]. Reasonably pure metal wasn't produced until 1934 when workers reduced the [[anhydrous]] [[chloride]] with [[potassium]] vapor.
== Occurrence ==
Like other rare earths, this element is never found as a free element in nature but is found bound in [[monazite]] sand ores. It has historically been very difficult and expensive to separate rare earths from each other in their ores but [[ion-exchange]] production techniques developed in the late 20th century have greatly brought down the cost of production of all rare-earth metals and their [[chemical compound]]s. The principal commercial sources of erbium are from the minerals [[xenotime]] and [[euxenite]], and most recently, the ion adsorption clays of southern China. In the high-yttrium versions of these ore concentrates, yttrium is about two-thirds of the total by weight, and erbia is about 4-5%. This is enough erbium to impart a distinct pink color to the solution when the concentrate is dissolved in acid. This color behavior is highly similar to what Mosander and the other early workers in the lanthanides would have seen, in their extracts from Ytterby gadolinite.
== Isotopes ==
{{main|isotopes of erbium}}
Naturally occurring erbium is composed of 6 stable [[isotope]]s, Er-162, Er-164, Er-166, Er-167, Er-168, and Er-170 with Er-166 being the most abundant (33.503% [[natural abundance]]). 29 [[radioisotope]]s have been characterized, with the most stable being Er-169 with a [[half life]] of 9.4 days, Er-172 with a half-life of 49.3 hours, Er-160 with a half-life of 28.58 hours, Er-165 with a half-life of 10.36 hours, and Er-171 with a half life of 7.516 hours. All of the remaining [[radioactive]] isotopes have half-lifes that are less than 3.5 hours, and the majority of these have half lifes that are less than 4 minutes. This element also has 13 [[meta state]]s, with the most stable being Er-167m (t<sub>½</sub> 2.269 seconds).
The isotopes of erbium range in [[atomic weight]] from 142.9663 [[atomic mass unit|u]] (Er-143) to 176.9541 u (Er-177). The primary [[decay mode]] before the most abundant stable isotope, Er-166, is [[electron capture]], and the primary mode after is [[beta decay]]. The primary [[decay product]]s before Er-166 are element 67 ([[holmium]]) isotopes, and the primary products after are element 69 ([[thulium]]) isotopes.
== Precautions ==
As with the other lanthanides, erbium compounds are of low to moderate [[toxicity]], although their toxicity has not been investigated in detail. Metallic erbium in dust form presents a fire and explosion hazard.
== In popular culture ==
In [[Carl Sagan]]'s [[science fiction|science-fiction]] [[novel]] ''[[Contact (novel)]]'', "dowels" constructed in large part of erbium play a prominent role in the operation of a machine of [[extraterrestrial]] origin designed for [[interstellar travel]].
==See also==
* [[:Category:Erbium compounds|Erbium compounds]]
*[[Terbium]]
*[[Ytterbium]]
*[[Yttrium]]
== References ==
* [http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/68.html Los Alamos National Laboratory – Erbium]
* ''Guide to the Elements – Revised Edition'', Albert Stwertka, (Oxford University Press; 1998) ISBN 0-19-508083-1
* [http://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele068.html It's Elemental – Erbium]
* Chemical Elements: Erbium http://www.chemicalelements.com/elements/er.html
== External links ==
{{Commons|Erbium}}
{{wiktionary|erbium}}
* [http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Er/index.html WebElements.com – Erbium] (also used as a reference)
{{clear}}
{{Compact periodic table}}
[[Category:Chemical elements]]
[[Category:Lanthanides]]
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