ytterbium

Ytterbium (Yb) is a chemical element in the lanthanide series, with atomic number 70. It is a soft, silvery-white metal that occurs in minerals such as xenotime and monazite. Commercial production typically begins with the oxide Yb2O3, which is then reduced to the metal. Ytterbium was discovered in 1878 by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac in ore from Ytterby, Sweden, and was named after the locality.

Chemically, ytterbium resembles other trivalent lanthanides. The most stable oxidation state is +3, though the +2 state can be formed under strongly reducing conditions and is encountered in some laboratory reagents. In air, ytterbium metal rapidly forms a thin oxide layer that provides some protection against further corrosion. Common ytterbium compounds include YbCl3, YbF3, and Yb2O3.

Key physical properties include a melting point around 824 °C and a boiling point near 1,193 °C, with a density of about 6.9 g/cm3. Its chemistry is dominated by the 4f electrons, which gives characteristic lanthanide behavior and selective binding in various ligands. Natural ytterbium consists of several stable isotopes, with 174Yb being among the most abundant.

Applications of ytterbium are dominated by its use as a dopant in solid-state lasers and optical fibers. Yb-doped YAG and other hosts enable efficient, high-power laser operation around 1 micron. Ytterbium ions (Yb+) are also used in precision spectroscopy, optical clocks, and quantum information experiments, while neutral ytterbium is employed in ultracold-atom research.

Safety considerations include handling as a heavy metal; ytterbium reacts to form oxides and salts that can be hazardous in powder form. Proper precautions are advised to minimize exposure.