Used primarily in research and specialized optical applications, this compound serves as a precursor for doping in solid-state lasers and amplifiers. It is especially valuable in the development of mid-infrared lasers used in medical and dental procedures due to its efficient emission in specific wavelength ranges. The compound also finds use in the production of luminescent materials and in studies involving rare-earth ion behavior in inorganic matrices. Additionally, it plays a role in the synthesis of other thulium-containing compounds for scientific and industrial applications.