ABSTRACTA review of the main results concerning the ion implantation of the rare-earth elements is given.To obtain the best optical activation of rare-earths, we attempt to optimize the implantation (energy, dose) and annealing (temperature, duration) conditions. The studied materials are Si, II-VI binaries (ZnTe, CdS), III-V binaries (GaAs, InP), III-V ternaries (GaAlAs, GaInAs) and III-V quaternaries (GaInAsP).