Due to its ability to absorb neutrons, europium metal is used in nuclear reactors: neutron capturing cross section = 4500 barn. Europium oxide (Eu2O3) is used in water thermochemical decomposition in hydrogen power industry. Europium ions are used in visible light (orange colour, 610 nm) spectrum generation in solid state and liquid lasers.
Europium is a dopant in samarium monosulphide (thermogeherators) and as a doping component in super hard diamod-lile carbon nitride. Europium silicide is used as phosphor in microelectronics.
Europium cations are used in medicine as fluorescent probes. Radioactive isotopes are used in radiotherapy. |