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Erbium is a chemical element with the symbol Er and atomic number 68. It is a rare-earth metal that is found in the minerals monazite and bastnasite. Erbium is a silvery-white metal that is soft and ductile. It is also a good conductor of heat and electricity.
Erbium is used in a variety of applications, including:
Erbium is used in a variety of applications, including lasers, fiber optics, and magnetic materials.
Noun: erbium, erbium metal.
Adjective: erbium, erbium-based, erbium-doped.
Verb: to erbium-dope.
Synonyms: lanthanide, rare-earth element.
The word "erbium" comes from the Swedish town of Ytterby, where it was first discovered in 1843 by Carl Gustaf Mosander. The town's name is derived from the Swedish word "ytterst," meaning "outermost.".
What is erbium?