Erbium Oxide(Er2O3)

Frequently Asked Questions About Erbium Oxide

The R&D department of UrbanMines Tech. Co., Ltd.'s technical team has compiled this article to provide comprehensive answers to frequently asked questions about erbium oxide. This rare earth compound plays a crucial role in industrial production across the fields of optics, electronics, and chemicals. Leveraging China's rare earth resource advantages and manufacturing capabilities for 17 years, UrbanMines Tech. Co., Ltd. has established itself as a reliable supplier worldwide by professionally producing, processing, exporting, and selling high-purity erbium oxide products. We sincerely appreciate your interest.

1.What is the formula for erbium oxide?

Erbium oxide is characterized by its pink powder form with the chemical formula Er2O3.

2.Who discovered Erbium?

Erbium was initially discovered in 1843 by Swedish chemist CG Mosander during his analysis of yttrium. Initially named terbium oxide due to confusion with another element's oxide (terbium), subsequent studies rectified this error until it was officially designated as "erbium" in 1860.

3.What is the thermal conductivity of erbium oxide?

The thermal conductivity of Erbium Oxide (Er2O3) can be expressed differently depending on the unit system used: - W/(m·K): 14.5 - W/cmK: 0.143 These two values represent identical physical quantities but are measured using different units - meters (m) and centimeters (cm). Please select the appropriate unit system based on your specific requirements. Please note that these values may vary due to measurement conditions, sample purity, crystal structure, etc., so we recommend referring to recent research findings or consulting professionals for specific applications.

4.Is erbium oxide toxic?

Although erbium oxide may pose a risk to human health under certain conditions, such as inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact, there is currently no evidence indicating its inherent toxicity‌. It should be noted that while erbium oxide itself may not exhibit toxic properties, proper safety protocols must be followed during handling to prevent any potential adverse health effects. Moreover, it is crucial to adhere to professional safety advice and operating guidelines when dealing with any chemical substance.

5.What is special about erbium?

The distinctiveness of erbium primarily lies in its optical properties and application areas. Particularly noteworthy are its exceptional optical characteristics in optical fiber communication. When stimulated by light at wavelengths of 880nm and 1480nm, erbium ions (Er*) undergo a transition from the ground state 4I15/2 to the high energy state 4I13/2. Upon returning from this high energy state back to the ground state, it emits light with a wavelength of 1550nm. This specific attribute positions erbium as an essential component in optical fiber communication systems, especially within telecommunication networks that require amplification of 1550nm optical signals. Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers serve as indispensable optical devices for this purpose. Furthermore, applications of erbium also encompass:

- Fiber-optic communication:

 Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers compensate for signal loss in communication systems and ensure signal stability throughout transmission.

- Laser Technology:

Erbium can be utilized for manufacturing laser crystals doped with erbium ions which generate eye-safe lasers at wavelengths of 1730nm and 1550nm. These lasers demonstrate excellent atmospheric transmission performance and find suitability across military and civilian domains.

-Medical Applications:

Erbium lasers are capable of precisely cutting, grinding, and removing soft tissue, particularly in ophthalmic surgeries such as cataract removal. They possess low energy levels and exhibit high water absorption rates, making them a promising surgical method. Moreover, incorporating erbium into glass can generate rare earth glass laser materials with substantial output pulse energy and elevated output power suitable for high-power laser applications.

In summary, owing to its distinctive optical properties and wide-ranging application fields in high-tech industries, erbium has emerged as a pivotal material in scientific research.

6. What is erbium oxide used for?

Erbium oxide has a wide range of applications, including optics, lasers, electronics, chemistry, and other fields.

Optical Applications: With its high refractive index and dispersion properties, erbium oxide is an excellent material for manufacturing optical lenses, windows, laser rangefinders, and other devices. It can also be used in infrared lasers with an output wavelength of 2.3 microns and high energy density suitable for cutting, welding, and marking processes.

Laser Applications: Erbium oxide is a crucial laser material known for its exceptional beam quality and high luminous efficiency. It can be utilized in solid-state lasers and fiber lasers. When combined with activator elements like neodymium and praseodymium, erbium oxide enhances the laser performance for various fields such as micromachining, welding, and medicine.

Electronic Applications: In the field of electronics， erbium oxide finds application mainly in semiconductor devices due to its high luminous efficiency and fluorescence performance which makes it suitable as a fluorescent material in displays， solar cells， etc.. Additionally， erbium oxide can also be employed to produce high-temperature superconducting materials.

Chemical Applications: Erbium oxide is primarily utilized in the chemical industry for the production of phosphors and luminescent materials. It can be combined with various activator elements to create diverse types of luminescent materials, which find extensive applications in lighting, display, medical, and other fields.

Moreover, erbium oxide serves as a glass colorant that imparts a rose-red tint to the glass. It is also employed in manufacturing special luminescent glass and infrared-absorbing glass‌ 45. Nano-erbium oxide holds greater application value in these domains due to its heightened purity and finer particle size, enabling enhanced performance.

7. Why is erbium so expensive?

What factors contribute to the high cost of erbium lasers? Erbium lasers are expensive primarily due to their unique technology and process characteristics. Specifically, erbium lasers operate at a wavelength of 2940nm, which adds to their higher cost.

The main reasons for this include the technical complexity involved in researching, developing, and producing erbium lasers that require state-of-the-art technologies from multiple fields such as optics, electronics, and materials science. These advanced technologies result in high costs for research, development, and maintenance. Additionally, the manufacturing process of erbium lasers has extremely stringent requirements in terms of precise processing and assembly to ensure optimal laser performance and stability.

Moreover, the scarcity of erbium as a rare earth element contributes to its elevated cost compared to other elements within this category.

In summary, the increased price of erbium lasers primarily stems from their advanced technological content, demanding manufacturing processes, and material scarcity.

8. How much does erbium cost?

The quoted price of erbium on September 24, 2024, stood at $185/kg, reflecting the prevailing market value of erbium during that period. It is important to note that the price of erbium is subject to fluctuations driven by shifts in market demand, supply dynamics, and global economic conditions. Therefore, for the most up-to-date information on erbium prices, it is advisable to directly consult relevant metal trading markets or financial institutions to obtain accurate data.