Europium

Europium, with the chemical symbol Eu and atomic number 63, was discovered in 1901 by French chemist Eugène-Anatole Demarçay. It was isolated from samarium-gadolinium mixtures, and its name refers to the continent of Europe.

On Earth, europium is a relatively rare component, constituting approximately 0.00011% of the Earth's crust. It is primarily found in minerals such as monazite and bastnäsite. Europium is the only naturally occurring stable element among the lanthanides.

Europium has fascinating applications, particularly in lighting technology. It is used in red phosphors for color displays and phosphors in energy-saving lamps. In the future, additional applications may emerge in nuclear energy and data transmission technology. Research efforts focus on how europium can be utilized in advanced technologies, including the development of more efficient phosphors and in spintronics.

Active filters