Ytterbium: Characteristics, Production and Applications outlines the properties and uses of ytterbium, focusing on its isotopic characteristics and its abundance in some important geological materials. The authors explore structures formed by depositing submonolayer quantities of ytterbium atoms on different silicon and germanium surfaces, addressing the ealiest stages of ytterbium/silicon and germanium interface formation. In addition, this compilation provides an overview of the methods used to extract and separate rare earth elements from natural deposits or from secondary resources. The crucial spectroscopic properties of ytterbium that induce the efficiency of ytterbium-doped materials or fibers for optical sensing of temperature are reviewed. Laser irradiation is studied in the context of its application in cleaning, a complicated process incorporating photo-thermal, photochemical and mechanical processes on the intended work materials.