Noun
A rare element said to be contained in gadolinite.
Source: Webster's dictionaryIt is the only isotope of thulium that is thought to be stable, although it is predicted to undergo alpha decay to holmium -165 with a very long half-life. Source: Internet
In 1879, Swedish chemist Per Theodor Cleve separated in the rare earth erbia another two previously unknown components, which he called holmia and thulia : these were the oxides of holmium and thulium respectively. Source: Internet
Laser lithotripsy is another technique, which involves the use of a holmium yttrium aluminium garnet (Ho:YAG) laser to fragment stones in the bladder, ureters, and kidneys. Source: Internet
Because holmium strongly absorbs neutrons, it is also used as a burnable poison in nuclear reactors. Source: Internet
Dysprosium's physical characteristics can be greatly affected by even small amounts of impurities. citation Dysprosium and holmium have the highest magnetic strengths of the elements, especially at low temperatures. Source: Internet
He would have seen x-ray emission lines for both elements, but assumed that the dominant ones belonged to holmium, instead of the dysprosium impurity. Source: Internet