Er
Erbium
Z = 68 · Lanthanide · 167.3 u
Nuclear Engineering Significance
Used as a burnable absorber in some reactor fuel designs. Er-167 (σ_a = 659 b) provides a self-shielding effect that produces a more gradual burnout than gadolinium, giving more uniform reactivity control over the fuel cycle. Er₂O₃ has been used in VVER and some PWR fuel concepts.
Basic properties
- Atomic number (Z)
- 68
- Standard atomic mass
- 167.3 u
- Category
- Lanthanide
Isotopes & cross-section data
No nuclide data for this element in the reference database.
The NRDP database focuses on nuclides relevant to reactor physics (fuels, moderators, structural materials, fission products, etc.). For full isotope data, see NNDC NuDat 3 or IAEA Nuclear Data Services.