Search
Menu
Teledyne DALSA - Linea HS2 11/24 LB
Photonics Dictionary

rare-earth elements

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of seventeen chemical elements found in the Earth's crust, characterized by their unique properties and scarcity relative to other elements. Despite their name, many rare-earth elements are actually quite abundant in the Earth's crust, but they are typically dispersed and not often found in concentrated deposits.

rare-earth element suppliers →

The rare-earth elements consist of the following seventeen elements:

Lanthanum (La)
Cerium (Ce)
Praseodymium (Pr)
Neodymium (Nd)
Promethium (Pm)
Samarium (Sm)
Europium (Eu)
Gadolinium (Gd)
Terbium (Tb)
Dysprosium (Dy)
Holmium (Ho)
Erbium (Er)
Thulium (Tm)
Ytterbium (Yb)
Lutetium (Lu)
Scandium (Sc)
Yttrium (Y)

Rare-earth elements have unique magnetic, electrical, and optical properties that make them crucial components in various technological applications, including electronics, renewable energy technologies (such as wind turbines and electric vehicles), catalysis, and lighting. For example, neodymium and praseodymium are essential for the production of high-performance permanent magnets used in electric motors and generators. Europium and terbium are used in phosphors for fluorescent lamps and television screens. Lanthanum and cerium are used in catalysts for petroleum refining and automotive catalytic converters.

Due to their strategic importance in modern technology, rare-earth elements have garnered significant attention from governments and industries worldwide, leading to concerns about supply security and environmental impacts associated with their extraction and processing.
See Also
Related Terms

Products & Suppliers
Related Categories


Explore Our Content
News
Features
Latest Products
Webinars
White Papers
All Things Photonics Podcast
Photonics Spectra Now
Videos
Our Summits & Conferences
Industry Events
Bookstore
Join Our Community
Subscribe
Advertise
Become a member
Sign in
Contribute a Feature
Suggest a Webinar
Submit a Press Release
Mobile Apps

About Us
Our Company
Our Publications
Contact Us
Career Opportunities
Teddi C. Laurin Scholarship

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA)



©2024 Photonics Media
100 West St.
Pittsfield, MA, 01201 USA
[email protected]
We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.