Yttrium

Yttrium (Y), atomic number 39, is a silvery-gray transition metal often classified among the rare earth elements. With an atomic weight of 88.90584 u, yttrium has a melting point of 1526°C (2779°F), boiling point of 2930°C (5306°F), and density of 4.472 g/cm3. Due to its rarity, yttrium is less abundant in the earth's crust, usually found in rare earth minerals like bastnasite and yttrium iron garnet.

In the electronics industry, yttrium finds quite diverse applications. One of the most notable uses is as a phosphor material in white LED lights. Yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) doped with cerium can convert blue light to emit white light, an important component of modern lighting technology. Yttrium is also a key ingredient of high-performance ceramic materials, especially in making yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) which possesses excellent thermal stability and durability, commonly used in gas turbines and other high-temperature industrial applications.

Additionally, yttrium is used to produce the colored phosphors in TV and computer displays, particularly the red phosphors, providing vivid colors and efficient brightness. Also, yttrium garnets like yttrium iron garnet (YIG) can be used in microwave filters and resonators.

In medicine, the yttrium-90 isotope serves as a radiopharmaceutical in cancer treatment for radioisotope therapy. These electronic and technological applications of yttrium demonstrate its versatility and importance in modern technology.