Lutetium

About Lutetium (Lu)

Symbol: Lu
Atomic number: 71
Atomic mass: 174.9668
Element category: Lanthanide, sometimes regarded as a transition metal
Lutetium is a silvery-white, hard and dense rare earth metal belonging to the lanthanide series. It is the hardest and densest member of the lanthanides. Lutetium is one of the most difficult elements to produce; consequently, it has few commercial applications. It is used as a catalyst for hydrocarbon cracking in the petrochemical industry. Lutetium isotopes are utilised in radiometric dating of meteorites and as a pure beta emitter after neutron activation.

Lutetium (Lu) Products

Stanford Advanced Materials (SAM) now offers various Lutetium products, including:

Lutetium Metal:

Forms: Powder, sputter target, or custom order
Purity: 3N–4N

Lutetium Compounds:

Lutetium Oxide (Lu2O3): 4N–5N;
Lutetium Nitrate (Lu(NO3)3): 3N–4N;
Lutetium Chloride (LuCl3): 3N–4N;
Lutetium Fluoride (LuF3): 3N–4N;
Lutetium Acetate ((CH3CO2)3Lu): 3N–4N;
Lutetium Carbonate (Lu2(CO3)3): 3N–4N;
Lutetium(III) Sulphate (Lu2(SO4)3): 3N–4N;

Lutetium Deposition Materials:

Lutetium (Lu); Lutetium Oxide (Lu2O3)

For Lutetium sputter targets, please visit: http://www.sputtertargets.net/lutetium.html

Important Properties of Lutetium:

Limited occurrence: Lutetium is one of the least abundant naturally occurring elements, comprising only a small fraction of the Earth’s crust. Its scarcity is a key factor in its industrial cost and usage.

High melting point: Lutetium possesses a high melting point. This property enables its use in applications that involve high temperatures.

Stable isotopes: Lutetium exhibits a significant presence of stable isotopes, which permits accurate measurement in nuclear and medical applications.

Applications of Lutetium:

Nuclear Industry: Lutetium-176, a stable isotope, is used in radiometric dating to determine the ages of rocks and minerals. It is also applied in neutron detectors and other nuclear-related applications.

Medical Imaging: Lutetium-based compounds are used in positron emission tomography (PET) to assist in the diagnosis and monitoring of various diseases, including cancer.

Ceramic and Glass Manufacture: Lutetium compounds are employed in the production of specialised ceramics and glasses. These materials include phosphors for LED lighting and scintillators for radiation detection.

Research and Development: Given that Lutetium has specific electronic properties, it is used in scientific investigations in spectroscopy, magnetism, and laser technology.

Why Lutetium?

Limited availability and cost: The low abundance of Lutetium affects its supply and cost for applications requiring distinct performance parameters.

Contribution to technological progress: Lutetium is employed in medical imaging and in the development of energy-efficient lighting.

Stable and dependable isotopes: The use of standardised isotopes allows for precise measurements in scientific and industrial contexts.

Driver of technological innovation: The physical properties of Lutetium support advancements in research in scientific disciplines.

Adaptability: In spite of its scarcity, Lutetium is applied across diverse industries, thereby demonstrating its functional versatility.