ytterbium

noun

yt·ter·bi·um | \i-ˈtər-bē-əm

Definition of ytterbium

: a soft metallic element of the rare-earth group that occurs especially with other rare earth elements in minerals and that has few commercial uses — see Chemical Elements Table

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Last year, researchers figured out how to create time crystals in a lab for the first time, using a complicated method involving a precision laser and a collection of ytterbium atoms. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Discover 'Time Crystals' Growing Right Under Their Noses," 4 May 2018 To create the time crystals, researchers at University of Maryland hooked together 10 ytterbium atoms and hit them with two lasers multiple times to keep them out of equilibrium. — Sophie Weiner, Popular Mechanics, "Scientists Create A New Kind Of Matter: Time Crystals," 28 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ytterbium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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The first known use of ytterbium was in 1879

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ytterbium

noun

yt·ter·bi·um | \i-ˈtər-bē-əm

Medical Definition of ytterbium

: a bivalent or trivalent metallic element of the rare-earth group that resembles yttrium and occurs with it and related elements in several minerals —symbol Yb — see Chemical Elements Table