MSI_000043119

Erbium, also known as 68er or erbio, is a member of the class of compounds known as homogeneous lanthanide compounds. Homogeneous lanthanide compounds are inorganic compounds containing only metal atoms, with the largest atom being a lanthanide atom. Erbium can be found in red beetroot and spinach, which makes erbium a potential biomarker for the consumption of these food products. Erbiums principal uses involve its pink-colored Er3+ ions, which have optical fluorescent properties particularly useful in certain laser applications. Erbium-doped glasses or crystals can be used as optical amplification media, where Er3+ ions are optically pumped at around 980 or 1480 nm and then radiate light at 1530 nm in stimulated emission. This process results in an unusually mechanically simple laser optical amplifier for signals transmitted by fiber optics. The 1550 nm wavelength is especially important for optical communications because standard single mode optical fibers have minimal loss at this particular wavelength .