Indium
Indio (In, Z=49)
- Date
- 1863 · confidence high
- Place
- Freiberg, Saxony, Germany
- Credited to
- Ferdinand Reich and Hieronymus Theodor Richter
- People
- 👤 Ferdinand Reich1799–1882👤 Hieronymous Theodor Richter1824–1898
- Field
- Matter & energy
What was discovered
While searching for thallium in zinc ores, Reich (who was colour-blind) and Richter observed an unknown indigo-blue spectral line.
Reich needed Richter to observe the colour because of his colour blindness.
What it led to
- Indium tin oxide (ITO) for touchscreens
- Indium phosphide semiconductors
- Low-melting-point solders
Built on
- Spectroscopy
- Discovery of thallium
Made possible
- Touchscreen (ITO)
- InGaN LED