What Is Xenon Gas?
Xenon (Xe) is a heavy and extremely rare noble gas. Discovered in 1898, it was the first noble gas found to form true chemical compounds. Xenon has a very high ionization potential, high density (more than 4.5 times heavier than air), and low heat capacity.
Industry Applications for Xenon
Xenon is used in a wide variety of applications despite being a trace gas.
Excimer Lasers
Xenon is a component of excimer laser mixes to produce certain wavelengths. It is a required component in the gas mixes used to produce 282 nm (XeBr), 308 nm (XeCl), and 351 nm (XeF).
Sputter Deposition
Xenon is used in sputter deposition, especially for depositing coatings with higher molecular weights. Although more expensive than argon, xenon provides higher yield and better coating quality when used with heavier atoms. It is often used for sputter coating in applications such as hard disk manufacturing.
Semiconductor Production
Xenon is utilized in the production of semiconductors for annealing, etching, and lithography applications. It acts as both a surface disruption agent and a plasma modulator, influencing plasma composition through secondary ionization. Historically, argon was used due to its lower cost and availability, but xenon allows for additional selective ion influence in plasma.
Space Propulsion
Xenon has long been used as a propellant for satellites and other spacecraft. It is a preferred propellant for electric propulsion systems, such as Hall effect thrusters or ion thrusters. These thrusters ionize and expel xenon at high speeds, providing in-space propulsion that is much more efficient than conventional chemical propulsion. Xenon electric propulsion is used for orbit-raising, station-keeping of satellites, and has propelled space probes to Mercury and the asteroid belt.
Lighting Applications
Due to its physical and chemical properties, xenon is used in various lighting applications, including incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and high-intensity discharge lamps.
Detection Systems
Xenon mixes are used in detectors, including those for radiation and infrared light detection. It is also employed in large detectors designed to find dark matter.
Medical Applications
Xenon has some medical applications, such as enhancing MRI imaging and serving as an anesthetic.
Moisture level guaranteed only when EFC Gases & Advanced Materials prepares the cylinders.
All concentrations are on a mol/mol basis unless otherwise stated. Product sold on the basis of total impurities. Individual impurities may vary slightly.
