Nd
144.240Neodymium
Neodimyum
Neodymium is a lanthanide with atomic number 60. It is famous for Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets, Nd:YAG lasers, purple glass coloring, laser glass for fusion research and critical roles in wind turbines, electric vehicles and electronics.
60
144.24 g/mol
[Xe] 4f⁴ 6s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 22 | 8 | 2
1.14
7.01 g/cm³
1023.9 °C
3073.8 °C
Carl Auer von Welsbach
Neodymium was separated from didymium in 1885 by Carl Auer von Welsbach along with praseodymium. Its name means new twin, reflecting its separation from the old didymium rare earth mixture.
Neodymium-142
Natural abundance: About 27.2%. Most abundant stable neodymium isotope.Neodymium-143
Natural abundance: About 12.2%. Daughter isotope in the samarium-neodymium dating system.Neodymium-144
Natural abundance: About 23.8%. Half-life: About 2.29 x 10¹⁵ years. Very long-lived alpha-emitting isotope.Neodymium-145
Natural abundance: About 8.3%. Stable isotope of neodymium.Neodymium-146
Natural abundance: About 17.2%. Stable isotope of neodymium.Neodymium-148
Natural abundance: About 5.8%. Stable isotope of neodymium.Neodymium-150
Natural abundance: About 5.6%. Studied in double beta decay research.Nd₂Fe₁₄B
Neodymium-Iron-BoronStrongest widely used permanent magnet material.Nd:YAG
Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum GarnetSolid-state laser medium.Nd₂O₃
Neodymium OxideGlass coloring, laser glass precursor and ceramic colorant.NdCl₃
Neodymium(III) ChlorideResearch precursor for neodymium chemistry and materials.- Nd₂Fe₁₄B permanent magnets for electric motors, wind turbines, hard drives, speakers and headphones
- Nd:YAG solid-state lasers at 1064 nm for surgery, manufacturing, range finding and research
- Neodymium-doped glass for high-energy laser systems
- Neodymium oxide glass colorants that give violet or reddish-purple colors
- Rare earth magnet supply chains for electric vehicles and clean-energy technologies
Neodymium has no known essential biological role.
- Nd-Fe-B magnets have extremely high magnetic energy density and are central to compact electric motors.
- Large wind turbines and electric vehicles can require significant amounts of neodymium-containing magnets.
- Nd:YAG lasers are among the most common solid-state lasers in medicine and industry.
- Neodymium glass can appear different colors under different lighting because of its sharp absorption bands.
- Neodymium has atomic number 60 and is a lanthanide.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s².
- The common oxidation state is +3.
- Remember Nd₂Fe₁₄B for strong magnets and Nd:YAG for lasers.
What is the atomic number of neodymium?
The atomic number of neodymium is 60.
What is the electron configuration of neodymium?
Neodymium has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f⁴ 6s².
What is neodymium used for?
Neodymium is used in powerful permanent magnets, Nd:YAG lasers, laser glass, colored glass and clean-energy technologies.
Why are neodymium magnets so strong?
Neodymium-iron-boron magnets combine rare earth magnetic behavior with iron and boron in a crystal structure that gives very high magnetic energy density.
What is an Nd:YAG laser?
An Nd:YAG laser is a solid-state laser that uses neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet as the laser medium.
Is neodymium a rare earth element?
Yes. Neodymium is a lanthanide rare earth element and one of the most important rare earths for modern magnets.