Samarium Oxide is a light yellowish powder. It is insoluble in water. Samarium Oxide also called Samaria, Samarium has a high neutron absorption capacity, Samarium Oxides have specialized uses in glass, phosphors, lasers, and thermoelectric devices. Calcium Chloride crystals treated with Samarium have been employed in lasers that produce beams of light intense enough to burn metal or bounce off the moon. Samarium Oxide is used in optical and infrared-absorbing glass to absorb infrared radiation. Also, it is used as a neutron absorber in control rods for nuclear power reactors. The Oxide catalyzes the dehydration of acyclic primary alcohols to aldehydes and ketones. Another use involves the preparation of other Samarium salts.