disprosium

Disprosium is a chemical element with the symbol Dy and atomic number 66. It is a hard, silvery-white metal that belongs to the lanthanide series, a group of elements also known as the rare-earth elements. Disprosium is relatively stable in air, although it does slowly oxidize. Its most common oxidation state is +3.

Disprosium is found in several minerals, such as monazite and xenotime, and is extracted from these ores. While considered a rare-earth element, it is not particularly rare in the Earth's crust, but it is rarely found in economically concentrated deposits, making its extraction and purification challenging.

The most significant commercial use of disprosium is in the production of magnets. Disprosium is added to neodymium magnets to improve their magnetic strength and stability at high temperatures. These high-performance magnets are crucial components in various applications, including electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, and audio equipment. Disprosium compounds are also used in phosphors for lighting and in certain types of lasers. Its unique magnetic properties are also explored for advanced technological applications.