Erbium Selenide

Erbium is a Block F, Group 3, Period 6 element. The number of electrons in each of Erbium's shells is 2, 8, 18, 30, 8, 2 and its electronic configuration is [Xe]4f¹² 6s². In its elemental form erbium's CAS number is 7440-52-0. The erbium atom has a radius of 173.4.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is unknown. Erbium is moderately toxic. Erbium has application in glass coloring, as an amplifier in fiber optics, and in lasers for medical and dental use. Erbium is available as metal and compounds with purities from 99% to 99.999% (ACS grade to ultra-high purity); metals in the form of foil, sputtering target, and rod, and compounds as submicron and nanopowder. The ion has a very narrow absorption band coloring erbium salts pink. It is therefore used in eyeware and decorative glassware. It can neutralize discoloring impurities such as ferric ions and produce a neutral gray shade. It is used in a variety of glass products for this purpose. It is particularly useful as an amplifier for fiber optic data transfer. Erbium was first discovered by Carl Mosander in 1843. Erbium is named after the Swedish town, Ytterby. See Eribium research below.

Selenium is a Block P, Group 16, Period 4 element. The number of electrons in each of Selenium's shells is 2, 8, 18, 6 and its electronic configuration is [Ar] 3d¹⁰ 4s² 4p⁴. In its elemental form selenium's CAS number is 7782-49-2. The selenium atom has a radius of 116.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 190.pm. The EPA does not classify selenium as carcinogenic, although selenium sulfide is a probable carcinogen. Selenates and selenites which are compounds of selenium, are highly toxic. Hydrogen selenide gas (SeH2) is the most acutely toxic compound of selenium. Selenium exhibits both photovoltaic action, where light is converted directly into electricity, and photoconductive action, where the electrical resistance decreases with increased illumination. of photocells and exposure meters for photographic use, as well as solar cells. Below its melting point, selenium is a p-type semiconductor and has many uses in electronic and solid-state applications. Selenium is available as metal and compounds with purities from 99% to 99.9999% (ACS grade to ultra-high purity); metals in the form of foil, sputtering target, and rod, and compounds as submicron and nanopowder. Selenium was first discovered by Jons Berzelius in 1817. The origin of the name Selenium comes from the Greek word "Selênê" meaning moon. See selenium research below.

American Elements semi conducting materials are crystal structures produced from ultra high purity starting materials synthesized by our high purity production facility which includes several large electric muffle furnaces, a tube furnace for hydrogen reduction, 50 gallon glass-lined Pfaudler reactors supported by our analytical laboratory containing X-ray diffraction, SEM, AA, BET surface area, and ICP Spectrometry for trace metals analysis. See a discussion of American Elements Ultra High Purity and Analytical capabilities. See Crystal Growth for processes used to fabricate semiconductor materials, which include:

• Crystal "pulling" by the Czochaiski method for production of semiconductor materials
• Flux growth and gradient freeze
• Directional solidification of fluorites using both the Bridgman-Stockbarger and float zoning techniques