稀土与光——纪念2015年为国际光年

Rare Earth and Light——Celebration of International Year of Light 2015

综述了稀土与光及基于光技术的关系和发展过程,以及稀土离子的光学特性及其在不同波长的电磁波频谱中(红外、可见、紫外、真空紫外、X射线、α,β,γ射线、中子等高能粒子)的应用。目前已形成了从稀土光学材料的制备,到照明、显示、成像、医疗、激光、通讯、传输、探测器、剂量器和存储器等各个环节的光学产业链。我国丰富的稀土资源将在发展光技术与光学产业中发挥重大的作用。

The 21 st century will depend as much on photonics as the 20 th century depended on electronics. It isshown that many rare earth optical materials were discovered and prepared,and they are found to have many applications which covered a wide range of electromagnetic spectrum（ infrared,visible,violet,ultraviolet,X-ray,α,β,γ-ray and neutron etc.）. The preparation of various optical and laser materials,and their application in the whole photonic industrial chain related to rare earth such as lighting,display,imaging,transmission,telecommunication,record,storage,detection,and so on were established. All rare earth elements have their special functions and applications. The relationship between rare earth and light is very close. It promotes the development of the light-based technologies. China is rich in rare earth mineral resources,thus very high economic benefit will be created by photonic industry of rare earth.