Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths, Volume 2 - Alloys and Intermetallics

The rare earths play a unique role in science. These seventeen related elements afford a panoply of subtle variations deriving from the systematic development of their electronic configurations, allowing a test of theory with excellent resolution. In contrast they find widespread use in even the most mundane processes such as steel making, for polishing materials and gasoline cracking catalysts. In between are exotic uses such as TV screen phosphors, lasers, high strength permanent magnets and chemical probes. This multi-volume handbook covers the entire rare earth field in an integrated manner. Each chapter is a comprehensive up-to-date, critical review of a particular segment of the field. The work offers the researcher and graduate student alike, a complete and thorough coverage of this fascinating field. Covers topics pertaining to solid state physics and materials science, and describes organic (and inorganic) reactions mediated by tetravalent cerium-based oxidants and by divalent samarium-based reductants. This book also focuses on the synthesis and use of divalent samarium-based reductants in organic and inorganic reactions.