Erbium Er

Erbium, another silvery-white metal, has desirable optical properties which make them particularly useful in laser applications. For example, erbium-doped glasses are simple laser optical amplifiers and erbium is also a key component of fibers for optical communications. Er: YAG laser is essential for laser surgery. Erbium also has a variety of other applications such as neutron-absorbing control rods for nuclear reactors, colorants for glasses, cubic zirconia and porcelain, cryocoolers.