Holmium

Holmium (Ho) — 10-Year Trends

As of 2026-09-25 · the last 10 years

Research intensity stands at about 96% of the element's all-time peak, a level reached within this window.

Research intensity ran from about 78% of the element's own all-time peak in 2016 to about 96% in 2026 — a steady climb, and the all-time peak (2024) falls inside this window. Over the same span its share of research attention across all elements rose. Among the 118 elements, holmium has a mid-sized research literature.

The number of papers involving the element rose from about 977 in 2016 to about 2,198 in 2025 (2.25x). That matches the growth of the literature as a whole over the same years: the general tide of scientific output, not a surge specific to the element.

The dominant research community is Holmium Laser Surgery for Prostate and Ureteral Disease, where holmium is one strand of a broader community — about 24% of its papers involve holmium. This work focuses on comparative studies of holmium laser enucleation and lithotripsy against transurethral resection and shock wave therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia and urinary stones, often distinguishing between holmium YAG systems and other laser types. This community accounts for about 68% of the element's recent research, a share that has risen from about 58% in the previous period. A key paper in this area is a 2024 study on flexible suction ureteral access sheaths in retrograde intrarenal surgery, cited over 150 times, which highlights the procedural advancements surrounding the laser technology.

A second community, Holmium-Doped Fiber Lasers and Amplifiers, treats holmium as a minor presence in a much larger community — under 1% of its papers involve holmium. Here, holmium serves as the active dopant in silica fiber lasers and amplifiers, often co-doped with thulium to extend operating wavelengths. This community holds about 6% of the element's recent research, a steady share compared to the previous period. Notable work includes a 2018 paper on room-temperature fiber lasers at 392 μm, cited over 180 times, which established foundational capabilities for these optical devices.

The third material community is Holmium-166 Radioembolization for Liver Tumors, where holmium is a minor presence in a much larger community — under 1% of its papers involve holmium. These papers focus on treating primary and secondary liver tumors using Holmium-166 microspheres for transarterial radioembolization. This community represents about 4% of the element's recent research, a steady share relative to the prior period. A 2022 review on the current status and future prospects of Holmium-166 radioembolization, cited about 72 times, anchors this clinical application.

Overall, the element's literature is consolidating around its medical applications. The laser surgery community has gained significant share, while the remainder of research communities has declined in relative weight. The most-cited paper of the window, a 2024 study on ureteral access sheaths, belongs to the laser surgery community and underscores the clinical focus of recent high-impact work.

For a deeper look at the element's current standing, see the Last 12 Months and Executive Brief reports.