neodymium

Neodymium is a chemical element with the symbol Nd and the atomic number 60. It is a rare earth metal in the lanthanide series and occurs naturally in several isotopes. Natural neodymium is primarily obtained from minerals such as bastnäsite and monazite, then separated from other rare earths through complex chemical processes.

Neodymium was identified as a distinct element by Carl Auer von Welsbach in 1885 during the separation of didymium into its components. The name derives from Greek roots meaning “new twin,” reflecting its relationship to didymium.

In its metallic form, neodymium is a soft, silvery metal that tarnishes in air. In compounds, it most commonly exhibits a +3 oxidation state. Neodymium salts and oxides are used in glass and ceramics to produce color, and Nd3+ ions are important in certain optics and phosphors.

The most significant modern use of neodymium is in neodymium-iron-boron magnets (NdFeB), which are among the strongest permanent magnets available and are essential in headphones, hard disk drives, wind turbines, and electric motors. Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers are widely used in materials processing, medicine, and other applications. Nd compounds also find use in some laser components and specialty glass formulations.

Production involves extracting neodymium from minerals and separating it from other rare earths via solvent extraction and related methods. Global supply is concentrated in a few countries, with environmental and supply-chain considerations influencing mining and processing. Safety concerns relate mainly to chemical hazards of compounds and the environmental impact of mining and refining.