Yb
173.040Ytterbium
İterbiyum
Ytterbium is a lanthanide with atomic number 70. It is important in high-power fiber lasers, Yb:YAG lasers, optical lattice clocks, stainless-steel alloy research, ytterbium-171 precision metrology and closed-shell 4f¹⁴ chemistry.
70
173.04 g/mol
[Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s²
2 | 8 | 18 | 32 | 8 | 2
1.1
6.965 g/cm³
823.9 °C
1195.8 °C
Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac
Ytterbium was discovered in 1878 by Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac from erbia fractions and named after Ytterby. Later work showed that the material also contained lutetium, clarifying ytterbium’s identity.
Ytterbium-168
Natural abundance: About 0.12%. Rare stable isotope.Ytterbium-170
Natural abundance: About 3.0%. Stable isotope of ytterbium.Ytterbium-171
Natural abundance: About 14.1%. Important isotope for optical lattice clocks and precision measurement.Ytterbium-172
Natural abundance: About 21.7%. Stable isotope of ytterbium.Ytterbium-173
Natural abundance: About 16.1%. Stable isotope used in atomic physics research.Ytterbium-174
Natural abundance: About 32.0%. Most abundant natural ytterbium isotope.Ytterbium-176
Natural abundance: About 13.0%. Stable isotope of ytterbium.Yb₂O₃
Ytterbium(III) OxideLaser crystal precursor, glass additive and ceramic material.Yb:YAG
Ytterbium-Doped YAGEfficient high-power solid-state laser medium.YbCl₃
Ytterbium(III) ChlorideLewis acid and research precursor for ytterbium compounds.Yb(fod)₃
Ytterbium Shift ReagentNMR shift reagent in structural analysis.- Ytterbium-doped fiber lasers for industrial cutting, welding and marking
- Yb:YAG and ytterbium-doped laser crystals for efficient high-power solid-state lasers
- Ytterbium optical lattice clocks for high-precision time and frequency metrology
- Small alloy additions in stainless steel and specialty materials research
- Ytterbium shift reagents and specialized spectroscopy chemistry
Ytterbium has no known essential biological role. Radioactive ytterbium isotopes have been studied or used in specialized radiation-source contexts.
- Ytterbium optical lattice clocks can reach fractional uncertainties near 10⁻¹⁸ in advanced metrology laboratories.
- Yb fiber lasers are efficient because ytterbium has a simple energy-level structure and can be pumped effectively.
- Ytterbium has a filled 4f¹⁴ shell, which helps make its chemistry relatively closed-shell among lanthanides.
- The Ytterby mineral site is linked to the names yttrium, terbium, erbium and ytterbium.
- Ytterbium has atomic number 70 and is a lanthanide.
- Its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s².
- Ytterbium commonly shows +3 chemistry, while +2 chemistry is also notable.
- Remember Yb for fiber lasers, optical lattice clocks and a filled 4f shell.
What is the atomic number of ytterbium?
The atomic number of ytterbium is 70.
What is the electron configuration of ytterbium?
Ytterbium has the electron configuration [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 6s².
What is ytterbium used for?
Ytterbium is used in fiber lasers, Yb:YAG lasers, optical lattice clocks, specialty alloys and spectroscopy chemistry.
Why is ytterbium used in fiber lasers?
Ytterbium ions can efficiently absorb pump light and emit powerful laser radiation, making Yb-doped fibers valuable for industrial lasers.
What is an ytterbium optical lattice clock?
An ytterbium optical lattice clock traps ultracold ytterbium atoms in a laser lattice and uses an optical transition for extremely precise timekeeping.
Does ytterbium have stable isotopes?
Yes. Natural ytterbium has seven stable isotopes, with ytterbium-174 usually the most abundant.