Solvent extraction from mixed rare earths; Sm2O3 is reduced with La metal at high temperature (La is less volatile), and Sm distills off pure.
Research Elements Sm · atomic number 62 Lanthanide · period 6 [Xe] 4f6 6s2 Shells: 2, 8, 18, 24, 8, 2 Valence electrons: 2 in the outer shell (6s2), and 6 in 4f6 Green dots are the outer shell's s and p electrons. Softer green dots are the d electrons of transition metals, and the d and f electrons of lanthanides and actinides: they often take part in bonding, but not always. Grey dots are the core. Ground-state configuration from the NIST Atomic Spectra Database (A. Kramida, Yu. Ralchenko, J. Reader and the NIST ASD Team). Abundance is the mole fraction of the element found as that isotope on Earth; digits in parentheses are the uncertainty in the last digits. Masses and abundances from NIST, Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions (J. S. Coursey, D. J. Schwab, J. J. Tsai and R. A. Dragoset, National Institute of Standards and Technology).Samarium
Electrons
How it's obtained
Natural isotopes
Isotope Relative atomic mass Abundance 144Sm 143.9120065(21) 0.0307(7) 147Sm 146.9149044(19) 0.1499(18) 148Sm 147.9148292(19) 0.1124(10) 149Sm 148.9171921(18) 0.1382(7) 150Sm 149.9172829(18) 0.0738(1) 152Sm 151.9197397(18) 0.2675(16) 154Sm 153.9222169(20) 0.2275(29)