Editing Erbium (section)

== Applications ==
[[File:Erbium-glass.jpg|thumb|Erbium-colored glass]]

===Lasers and optics===
A large variety of medical applications (i.e., dermatology, dentistry) utilize erbium ion's {{val|2940|u=nm}} emission (see [[Er:YAG laser]]), which is highly absorbed in water ([[Attenuation coefficient|absorption coefficient]] about {{val|12000|up=cm}}). Such shallow tissue deposition of laser energy is necessary for laser surgery, and the efficient production of steam for laser enamel ablation in dentistry.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Šulc |first1=J. |title=5 - Solid-state lasers for medical applications |date=2013-01-01 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780857092373500059 |work=Lasers for Medical Applications |pages=127–176 |editor-last=Jelínková |editor-first=Helena |series=Woodhead Publishing Series in Electronic and Optical Materials |publisher=Woodhead Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1533/9780857097545.2.127 |isbn=978-0-85709-237-3 |access-date=2022-04-28 |last2=Jelínková |first2=H.|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Common applications of erbium lasers in dentistry include ceramic [[cosmetic dentistry]] and removal of brackets in [[orthodontic braces]]; such laser applications have been noted as more time-efficient than performing the same procedures with rotary [[Dental instrument|dental instruments]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Deeb |first1=Janina Golob |last2=Grzech-Leśniak |first2=Kinga |last3=Brody |first3=Erica R. |last4=Matys |first4=Jacek |last5=Bencharit |first5=Sompop |date=December 2022 |title=Erbium laser-assisted ceramic debonding: a scoping review |journal=Journal of Prosthodontics |language=en |volume=31 |issue=9 |pages=e100–e124 |doi=10.1111/jopr.13613 |issn=1059-941X |pmc=10099628 |pmid=36269672}}</ref>

Erbium-doped [[optical fibers|optical silica-glass fibers]] are the active element in [[erbium-doped fiber amplifier]]s (EDFAs), which are widely used in [[optical communications]].<ref>{{cite book | isbn = 978-0-12-084590-3 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=uAOq75yt5CcC | last1 = Becker|first1= P. C. | last2 = Olsson|first2= N. A. | last3 = Simpson| first3 = J. R. | date = 1999 | publisher = Academic Press | location = San Diego | title = Erbium-doped fiber amplifiers fundamentals and technology}}</ref> The same fibers can be used to create fiber [[lasers]]. In order to work efficiently, erbium-doped fiber is usually co-doped with glass modifiers/homogenizers, often aluminium or phosphorus. These dopants help prevent clustering of Er ions and transfer the energy more efficiently between excitation light (also known as optical pump) and the signal. Co-doping of optical fiber with Er and Yb is used in high-power Er/Yb fiber lasers. Erbium can also be used in [[erbium-doped waveguide amplifier]]s.<ref name="emsley" />

===Other applications===
When added to [[vanadium]] as an [[alloy]], erbium lowers hardness and improves workability.<ref name="CRC2000">{{cite book| last= Hammond |first= C. R. |title = The Elements, in Handbook of Chemistry and Physics |edition = 81st| publisher =CRC press| date = 2000| isbn = 978-0-8493-0481-1}}</ref> An erbium-[[nickel]] alloy Er<sub>3</sub>Ni has an unusually high specific heat capacity at liquid-helium temperatures and is used in [[cryocoolers]]; a mixture of 65% Er<sub>3</sub>[[cobalt|Co]] and 35% Er<sub>0.9</sub>[[Ytterbium|Yb]]<sub>0.1</sub>Ni by volume improves the specific heat capacity even more.<ref>{{cite book | title= Advances in Cryogenic Engineering | volume= 39a | editor=Kittel, Peter }}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title= Cryogenic Regenerative Heat Exchangers | first = Robert A. | last = Ackermann | publisher = Springer | date = 1997 | isbn = 978-0-306-45449-3 | page = 58 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nIzviZ_-_NsC}}</ref>

[[Erbium oxide]] has a pink color, and is sometimes used as a colorant for [[glass]], [[cubic zirconia]] and [[porcelain]]. The glass is then often used in [[sunglasses]] and [[jewellery]],<ref name="emsley" /><ref name="CRC2000" /><ref name="Stwertka">Stwertka, Albert. ''A Guide to the Elements'', Oxford University Press, 1996, p. 162. {{ISBN|0-19-508083-1}}</ref> or where infrared absorption is needed.<ref name=":0" />

Erbium is used in [[Nuclear power|nuclear]] technology in neutron-absorbing [[control rod]]s.<ref name="emsley" /><ref>{{cite book | isbn = 978-0-7923-5593-9 | chapter = Use of UraniumErbium and PlutoniumErbium Fuel in RBMK Reactors | pages = 121–125 | editor= Parish, Theodore A. | editor2= Khromov, Vyacheslav V. | editor3= Carron, Igor | date = 1999 | publisher = Kluwer | location = CBoston | title = Safety issues associated with Plutonium involvement in the nuclear fuel cycle | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=aamn7uifb3gC}}</ref> or as a [[Neutron poison|burnable poison]] in nuclear fuel design.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Grossbeck, Renier, and Bigelow|date=September 2003|title=Development of improved burnable poisons for commercial nuclear power reactors
|url=https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc739371/m2/1/high_res_d/820689.pdf|website=University of North Texas (UNT) digital library}}</ref>