Ytterbium irradiated in nuclear reactors forms 169Yb, which emits gamma rays.   These gamma rays are used as a portable, medical gamma-ray source.  In this capacity, the gamma rays from 169Yb are used to image body parts in a manner similar to what is done with X-rays.   next element         […]

    Thulium-169, when irradiated with neutrons in a nuclear reactor, forms  170Th: 169Th + 1n–> 170Th  170Th emits x-rays, and is thus used as a portable, medial X-ray source.   next element                                         previous element

    Erbium oxide, E2O3, imparts a pink color to glass.  Erbium oxide is often used in sunglasses. next element                                         previous element

Holmium imparts a red color to cubic zirconia (ZrOCO3) when present in small amounts. next element                                         previous element

    Dysprosium is used in hard drives and other data storage disks.   next element                                         previous element

    Terbium is used as a green phosphor in television sets.  It is also used in sonar systems.   next element                                         previous element

    Gadolinium complexes are ingested by people to help with medical imaging in MRI’s.  The formula for two of these complexes is C16H25GdN4O8 (Dotarem) and C28H54GdN5O20 (Magnevist).   next element                                         previous element

    Europium can be found in Euro banknotes!  This imparts a visible emission from these banknotes.  Europium is also used in television phosphors to impart a red emission.   next element                                         previous element

    Samarium alloys are used in guitar pickups.   next element                                         previous element

    Promethium is named after Prometheus, the character in Greek mythology who stole fire from Mount Olympus.   next element                                         previous element