YttriumIII

Yttrium is a chemical element with the symbol Y and atomic number 39. It is a silvery-white metallic solid of the lanthanide series, characterized by its relatively high melting point and hardness. Yttrium is rarely found in nature in pure form, typically occurring in combination with other rare earth elements. Its most commercially important mineral is monazite, a phosphate mineral. Yttrium compounds are known for their fluorescent properties, making them valuable in various applications.

The most common oxidation state of yttrium is +3, hence the term yttrium(III). Yttrium(III) oxide (Y2O3) is a white, insoluble solid that is widely used in the production of phosphors for color television screens and other lighting applications. It absorbs ultraviolet light and re-emits it in the visible spectrum. Yttrium(III) compounds are also employed in the manufacturing of microwave lasers, in magnets, and as dopants in ceramics and alloys. The yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) crystal, doped with neodymium, is a common laser medium. Due to its inertness and high melting point, yttrium is also used in high-temperature applications, such as in the production of electrodes for welding and in alloys for aerospace components. While yttrium is not considered toxic, its compounds can be irritants.