Gadolinium

Gadolinium (Gd), atomic number 64, is a silvery-white rare earth metal belonging to the lanthanide series. With an atomic weight of 157.25 u, gadolinium has a melting point of 1312°C (2394°F), boiling point of 3273°C (5923°F), and density of 7.90 g/cm3. Gadolinium does not naturally occur as a pure metal, instead found in minerals like gadolinite. It demonstrates ferromagnetism at room temperature but exhibits paramagnetism above its Curie point (20°C or 68°F).

Gadolinium finds relatively specialized applications in electronics due to its unique magnetic properties and neutron absorption capabilities. It is used in nuclear technology, such as control rods in nuclear reactors, because of its ability to absorb neutrons. The Gd-157 isotope has a high neutron capture cross-section, suitable for controlling nuclear chain reactions.

In medical imaging, gadolinium serves as a contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, allowing clearer images to help doctors better diagnose conditions.

Additionally, gadolinium is used to make specialized glass, ceramics, and as a dopant in solid-state devices and optical equipment. In research, gadolinium's magnetic cooling traits are utilized in experiments needing extremely low temperatures. For these reasons, Gd is often employed as a sputter target in manufacturing high-tech products and scientific research. While not as widely used in electronics as some rare earths, gadolinium holds an important position in scientific and medical fields.

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