The half-life of 170 Tm produced by 169 Tm irradiation in nuclear reaction is 129 days, and this isotope gram emits very strong X-rays. It is used to make Yb2O3, which is usually reduced by calcium. It can also be prepared by distillation. It is used to make special alloys. Ytterbium alloys have been used in dental medicine for metallurgical and chemical experiments. In recent years, Ytterbium has emerged and developed rapidly in the two major fields of optical fiber communication and laser technology.