Europium

Europium is a chemical element with symbol Eu and atomic number 63. It is one of the rare earth elements in the periodic table. Europium has an atomic weight of 151.964 u and is a moderately hard, silvery-white metal. It has a body-centered cubic crystalline structure and a melting point of 826°C. Europium is also relatively dense with a density of 5.264 g/cm3.

In nature, europium exists only in chemical compounds and minerals, as pure europium metal is reactive and quite rare. The most important europium ores are xenotime and monazite sands. Historically, europium was difficult to separate from other rare earths, but modern ion-exchange and solvent extraction processes allow its efficient production. 

The most notable property of europium is that its compounds give off bright red and blue light. This unique luminescence is used in anti-counterfeiting markings on Euro banknotes. Europium phosphors are essential in modern color television and computer screens, producing the red pixels. Europium doping is also used in some lasers and scintillators. In addition, europium has applications in fluorescent lighting, NMR relaxation, magnets, alloys, glassmaking, and as a radiation absorber. Despite its rarity, europium finds diverse technological applications thanks to its one-of-a-kind luminescent properties.