Discovery Information
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Who: J.L. Soret |
When: 1878 |
Where: Switzerland |
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Name Origin
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From Holmia, the Latin name for Stockholm. |
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Sources
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Occurs in gadolinite, monazie and other rare-earth minerals. |
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Uses
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As control-rods for nuclear reactors because it readily absorbs neutrons. Forms highly magnetic compounds when combined with
yttrium. Holmium oxide is used as a yellow glass coloring.
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Its very high magnetic moment is suitable for use in yttrium-iron-garnet (YIG) and yttrium-lanthanum-fluoride (YLF) solid state lasers found in microwave equipment (which are in turn found in a variety of medical and dental settings).
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Notes
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The element, as with other rare earth elements, appears to have a low acute toxic rating. Holmium plays no biological role in humans but may be able to stimulate metabolism.
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