Ytterbium is primarily used in materials for stress gauges, where its electrical resistance changes under pressure, making it valuable in monitoring ground deformations, especially in oil exploration and seismic studies. It serves as a dopant in stainless steel and other alloys to improve grain refinement and mechanical strength. In the field of optics, ytterbium-doped lasers are employed in industrial cutting, welding, and marking due to their high efficiency and reliability in fiber laser systems. These lasers are also used in medical applications and scientific research. Ytterbium is used in atomic clocks, offering high precision for time measurement in advanced navigation and communication systems. Additionally, it plays a role in chemical vapor deposition processes as a catalyst and in certain luminescent materials for displays and sensors.