Neodymium is a Block F, Group 3, Period 6 element. The electronic configuration is [Xe]4f⁴6s². In its elemental form neodymium's CAS number is 7440-00-8. The neodymium atom has a radius of 181.4.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 181.pm. Neodymium is the most abundant of the rare earths after cerium and lanthanum. Neodymium 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. Primary applications include lasers, glass coloring and tinting, dielectrics and, most importantly, as the fundamental basis for neodymium-iron-boron permanent magnets. Neodymium has a strong absorption band centered at 580 nm, which is very close to the human eye's maximum level of sensitivity making it useful in protective lenses for welding goggles. It is also used in CRT displays to enhance contrast between reds and greens and highly valued in glass manufacturing for its attractive purple coloring. Neodymium is included in many formulations of barium titanate, used as dielectric coatings and in multi-layer capacitors essential to electronic equipment.

Calcium is a Block S, Group 2, Period 4 element. The electronic configuration is [Ar] 4s². In its elemental form calcium's CAS number is 7440-70-2. The calcium atom has a radius of 197.4.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Calcium is a member of the alkaline earth elements. Its primary commercial application is in its metallic form as a reducing agent in the production of other metals. In iron and steel production it is added to the melt to remove oxygen, sulfur and carbon. The various calcium compounds have wide application in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. It is used in small doses in alloys of copper and beryllium. It is used in dietary supplements and food production because it has been shown to improve bone and dental health. Calcium was first discovered by Sir Humphrey Davy in 1808.

Aluminum is a Block P, Group 13, Period 3 element. The electronic configuration is [Ne] 3s² 3p¹. In its elemental form aluminum's CAS number is 7429-90-5. The aluminum atom has a radius of 143.2.pm and it's Van der Waals radius is 200.pm. Aluminum is a silvery-white metal that possesses many desirable characteristics. It is light, nonmagnetic and nonsparking. It stands second among metals in the scale of malleability, and sixth in ductility. It is extensively used in many industrial applications where a strong, light, easily constructed material is needed. Although it's electrical conductivity is only about 60% that of copper, it is used in electrical transmission lines because of its light weight. Pure aluminum is soft and lacks strength, but alloyed with small amounts of copper, magnesium, silicon, manganese, or other elements impart a variety of useful properties. These alloys are of vital importance in the construction of modern aircraft and rockets. Aluminum, evaporated in a vacuum, forms a highly reflective coating for both visible light and radiant heat. They are used to coat telescope mirrors. Aluminum 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.

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