samarium

A silvery or pale gray metallic rare-earth element found in monazite and bastnaesite and used as a dopant for laser materials, in infrared absorbing glass, and as a neutron absorber in certain nuclear reactors. Atomic number 62; atomic weight 150.36; melting point 1,072°C; boiling point 1,794°C; specific gravity (approximately) 7.520 (25°C); valence 2, 3. cross-reference: Periodic Table.

The name given by Lecoq de Bois-baudran to a metal which he supposed he had discovered in the mineral samarskite by the aid of the spectroscope. Nothing further is known of it, nor has its existence been, as yet, definitely established.

This metal belongs to the cerium group. The oxid is white, the salts yellow, and characteristic absorption and spark spectra have been obtained. Like so many other members of the cerium and yttrium groups, samarium is of uncertain individual identity. There seems now but little doubt that in its oxid as originally described there is present at least one other element, the europium of Demarçay, Urbain, and Lacombe.

A rare metallic element of doubtful identity.

A metallic chemical element (symbol Sm) with an atomic number of 62.

a grey lustrous metallic element of the rare earth group; is used in special alloys; occurs in monazite and bastnasite