What is Holmium?
Holmium is a metallic chemical element grouped with the lanthanides in the periodic table of elements. This group of elements are also known as rare earth elements; they share an assortment of qualities which are useful in a wide range of industries. This particular lanthanide has few uses, and consumers rarely interact with it, although they may in some cases own products which are made with the assistance of holmium. It should be noted that, like other “rare” earths, holmium is in fact not at all rare; the world’s primary source of holmium is China, where it is actually relatively abundant. This element rarely appears in nature in a pure form. It is typically found in minerals such as monazite and gadolinite. When isolated, holmium is a silvery white, relatively soft metal which usually remains stable at or around room temperature. However, when heated in moist conditions, the element will oxidize, and it can react adversely with other metals. On the periodic table of elements, holmi
Holmium, atomic no.: 67, symbol as Ho, weight at 164.93, has the highest magnetic moment (10.6uB) of any naturally occurring element. Because of this it has been used to create the highest known magnetic fields by placing it within high strength magnets as a pole piece or magnetic flux concentrator. This magnetic property also has value in yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) lasers for microwave equipment. Holmium lasers at a human eye safe 2.08 microns allowing its use in a variety of medical and dental applications in both yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) and yttrium-lanthanum-fluoride (YLF) solid state lasers. The wavelength allows for use in silica fibers designed for shorter wavelengths while still providing the cutting strength of longer wave length equipment.
Relatively soft and malleable silvery-white metallic element, which is stable in dry air at room temperature. It oxidizes in moist air and at high temperatures. It belongs to the lanthanoids. A rare-earth metal, it is found in the minerals monazite and gadolinite. It possesses unusual magnetic properties. One natural isotope, Ho-165 exists, six radioisotopes exist, the most stable being Ho-163 with a half-life of 4570 years. Holmium is used in some metal alloys, it is also said to stimulate the metabolism. Discovered by Per Theodor Cleve and J.L. Soret in Switzerland in 1879. The name homium comes from the Greek word Holmia which means Sweden. While all holmium compounds should be considered highly toxic, initial evidence seems to indicate that they do not pose much danger. The metal’s dust however, is a fire hazard.
