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Why are rare-earth elements important in cell phones computers and televisions?

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A line graph showing electron probability distributions for gadolinium, with separate curves for 4f, 5s, 5p, 5d, and 6s orbitals. The x-axis shows distance from the nucleus in atomic units and the y-axis shows probability P2(r). — rare-earth element Electron probabilities, P²*(r)*, for the 4f, 5s, 5p, 5d, and 6s electrons of gadolinium.

Rare-earth elements are essential components in modern technology, including cell phones, computers, and televisions, primarily due to their unique magnetic and optical properties.1

In these devices, rare-earth elements are utilized in two main ways:

Magnets: Rare-earth elements, particularly neodymium, are used to create powerful permanent magnets. These magnets are critical for the operation of speakers and hard drives. Without these high-performance materials, such components would be significantly heavier or fail to function as effectively.1
Optical Displays: Rare-earth oxides—specifically those containing yttrium, europium, and terbium—are used as phosphors in optical displays. These elements allow for the production of intense, sharp colors when activated by electrons or photons, which is vital for the image quality of televisions and other electronic screens.12

While the quantities of rare earths used in individual consumer devices are often quite small, their role is critical to the performance and miniaturization of modern electronics.13