Yb: meaning, definitions and examples
🧪
Yb
[ ˈɪtərbɪəm ]
chemical element
Yb stands for Ytterbium, which is a chemical element with the symbol Yb and atomic number 70. It is a silvery-white metal and is classified as a lanthanide in the periodic table. Ytterbium is used in various applications including lasers, electronics, and as a dopant for some solid-state materials.
Examples of usage
- The new laser technology uses Yb as a dopant.
- Ytterbium is often found in modern electronics.
- Variations of Yb compounds are used in imaging techniques.
- Researchers found Yb useful for their experiment.
Word origin
Ytterbium was discovered in 1878 by the Swiss chemist Jean Charles Galissard de Marignac. The element is named after the village of Ytterby in Sweden, where several rare earth minerals were first identified. The name reflects the growing interest in the lanthanides during the late 19th century, as scientists began isolating these elements from various minerals. Its discovery further contributed to understanding the unique properties and potential applications of rare earth elements in technology. Over the years, Yb has been studied for its unique magnetic and optical properties, making it an important subject in research focusing on quantum optics and materials science.