Erbium is a chemical element in the lanthanide series, with symbol Er and atomic number 68. A silvery-white solid metal when artificially isolated, natural erbium is always found in chemical combination with other elements on Earth. As such, it is a rare earth element which is associated with several other rare elements in the mineral gadolinite from Ytterby in Sweden.

Erbium's principal uses involve its pink-colored Er³⁺ ions, which have optical fluorescent properties particularly useful in certain laser applications. Erbium-doped glasses or crystals can be used as optical amplification media, where erbium (III) ions are optically pumped at around 980 nm or 1480 nm and then radiate light at 1530 nm in stimulated emission. This process results in an unusually mechanically simple laser optical amplifier for signals transmitted by fiber optics. The 1550 nm wavelength is especially important for optical communications because standard single mode optical fibers have minimal loss at this particular wavelength.

The erbium laser skin resurfacing is the treatment of choice for those who would like to achieve dramatic improvement in the appearance of their skin. This procedure successfully removes superficial lines to moderately deep wrinkles with less pain, fewer side-effects, and a more rapid recovery than other treatments. An erbium laser provides a milder and less invasive treatment option than a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The CO2 laser is able to remove deeper layers of damaged skin than the erbium laser. However, an erbium laser treatment provides those whose skin damage is not as severe — or who would simply prefer a more rapid laser skin resurfacing recovery - with an excellent alternative.

Homepathy

Stage 14: Erbium

Erbium has the feeling that they cannot do anything any more to keep their autonomy. They can develop an attitude of indifference towards this topic, a stoic state. Or they can place themselves in a position where they are out of the mainstream of the struggle, where they cannot be attacked.