| 1 |
71 |
Lu |
Lutetium |
1,418 |
cancer treatment, petroleum refining, and dating meteorites
|
| 2 |
70 |
Yb |
Ytterbium |
68 |
Laser systems, atomic clocks, and as an additive to improve the strength of certain steels |
| 3 |
69 |
Tm |
Thulium |
6,614 |
as a green phosphor in fluorescent lamps, television screens, and computer monitors |
| 4 |
68 |
Er |
Erbium |
58 |
production of optical fibers for telecommunications |
| 5 |
67 |
Ho |
Holmium |
126 |
powerful magnetic fields in devices like MRI machines, and as a component in nuclear reactor control rods due to its ability to absorb neutrons |
| 6 |
66 |
Dy |
Dysprosium |
677 |
alloying element in the production of powerful neodymium-based permanent magnets |
| 7 |
65 |
Tb |
Terbium |
1,451 |
green phosphor in fluorescent lamps, television screens, and computer monitors |
| 8 |
64 |
Gd |
Gadolinium |
63 |
MRI scans to help detect abnormal tissue and other conditions |
| 9 |
63 |
EU |
Europium |
69 |
nuclear reactors, light bulbs, and medical imaging |
| 10 |
62 |
Sm |
Samarium |
31 |
powerful, high-temperature resistant "samarium-cobalt" magnets |
| 11 |
61 |
Pm |
Promethium |
1,014,126 |
pacemakers, guided missiles, radios |
| 12 |
60 |
Nd |
Neodymium |
2 |
Magnets, Electronics, Glass, Lasers, Cryocooler applications, Safety glasses, Medical imaging, Magnotherapy |
| 13 |
59 |
Pr |
Praseodymium |
2 |
alloying agent to create high-strength metals for aircraft engines |
| 14 |
58 |
Ce |
Cerium |
3 |
polishing agent in glass manufacturing, acting as a decolorizer, and is also a key component in "flint" for cigarette lighters |
| 15 |
57 |
La |
Lanthanum |
11 |
used in medicine to treat high phosphate levels in the blood |
| 16 |
39 |
Y |
Yttrium |
35 |
LED lights, lasers, microwave filters, high-temperature superconductors, and certain medical applications |
| 17 |
21 |
Sc |
Scandium |
579 |
aerospace, lighting, sports equipment |
