Rare Earth Elements
List of the 17 rare earth elements including symbol, group, and common uses.
| Name | Symbol | Atomic # | Group | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scandium | Sc | 21 | LREE | High-performance aluminum alloys (Aerospace), Solid oxide fuel cells |
| Yttrium | Y | 39 | HREE | Red phosphors for displays (LEDs, LCDs), Ceramics, Lasers |
| Lanthanum | La | 57 | LREE | Catalysts (refining), Camera lenses, Battery alloys (NiMH) |
| Cerium | Ce | 58 | LREE | Catalytic converters, Glass polishing/decoloring, UV filters |
| Praseodymium | Pr | 59 | LREE | High-power permanent magnets (NdFeB), Green glass colorant |
| Neodymium | Nd | 60 | LREE | The strongest permanent magnets (NdFeB), Lasers, Electric motors |
| Promethium | Pm | 61 | LREE | Nuclear batteries, Luminous paint (radioactive, rare) |
| Samarium | Sm | 62 | LREE | High-temperature, specialty magnets, Neutron absorbers (Nuclear) |
| Europium | Eu | 63 | HREE | Red/Blue phosphors (displays), Security inks, LED lighting |
| Gadolinium | Gd | 64 | HREE | MRI contrast agents, Neutron capture (Nuclear), Magnetostriction |
| Terbium | Tb | 65 | HREE | Green phosphors, Magnetostrictive alloys (e.g., T-b-D), Sensors |
| Dysprosium | Dy | 66 | HREE | High-temp performance in magnets (crucial for EVs/Wind), Control rods |
| Holmium | Ho | 67 | HREE | Specialized lasers, Magnet-pole pieces (magnetic flux concentrators) |
| Erbium | Er | 68 | HREE | Fiber optics, Amplifiers (EDFA), Special metallurgical alloys |
| Thulium | Tm | 69 | HREE | Portable X-ray machines, Metal halide lamps |
| Ytterbium | Yb | 70 | HREE | Fiber lasers (high-power industrial), Atomic clocks |
| Lutetium | Lu | 71 | HREE | PET scan detectors (medical imaging), Catalysts (refining) |