samariums

Samarium is a silvery metallic element in the lanthanide series with the symbol Sm and atomic number 62. It is a member of the rare earth elements and occurs in nature only in compounds rather than as a free metal. The plural samariums can refer to multiple samples of the element or to materials and compounds that contain samarium.

Samarium occurs in minerals such as bastnäsite and monazite and is typically recovered as a byproduct of processing these minerals to obtain other rare earth elements. After separation and purification, samarium metal is produced by reducing its compounds with reactive metals, followed by refining to high purity. Because it is part of the lanthanide group, samarium shares many chemical properties with neighboring elements.

Properties and uses: As a lanthanide, samarium forms a variety of oxides, halides, and other compounds. It is best known for its role in samarium–cobalt magnets (SmCo), which are strong permanent magnets that retain magnetic properties at high temperatures and in demanding environments. These magnets are used in aerospace, electronics, and precision instruments. Samarium compounds also find use in catalysts, phosphors for lighting and display technologies, and in glass polishing powders. Some radioactive isotopes of samarium have applications in medicine and industry, notably in radiopharmaceuticals for specific therapeutic indications, though such uses are specialized and tightly regulated.

Naming and history: The element is named after the mineral samarskite, which in turn was named for the Russian mineralogist V. Samarsky-Bykhovets. In the periodic table, samarium sits among the rare earth elements and is often found alongside other lanthanides in mineral deposits.

Safety and handling: Samarium metal and its compounds are handled with standard industrial practices for reactive metals; certain isotopes used in medical or industrial applications require specialized containment and shielding.