Betaeuropium

Betaeuropium is a metastable allotrope of the element europium. Europium is a rare earth element with the symbol Eu and atomic number 63. Allotropes are different structural forms of the same element. Betaeuropium is one of two known solid-state allotropes of europium, the other being alphaeuropium.

At standard conditions, pure europium metal crystallizes in the alpha phase, which has a body-centered cubic structure. However, under specific conditions, europium can transition to the beta phase. Betaeuropium has a face-centered cubic structure. The transition between these allotropes is temperature-dependent. Typically, betaeuropium is stable at higher temperatures and transforms to alphaeuropium upon cooling below a certain transition point, which is around 775 degrees Celsius. However, betaeuropium can be retained in a metastable state at room temperature if it is cooled rapidly from its stable high-temperature phase.

The properties of betaeuropium differ from alphaeuropium, although detailed studies are less common due to its metastable nature at ambient conditions. These differences are primarily related to its crystal structure, which can influence its physical and chemical behavior, such as its density and conductivity. The study of betaeuropium is important for understanding the phase behavior and material science of rare earth elements.