Editing Xenon (section)

== Applications ==
Although xenon is rare and relatively expensive to extract from the [[atmosphere of Earth|Earth's atmosphere]], it has a number of applications.

=== Illumination and optics ===

==== Gas-discharge lamps ====
[[File:Xenon short arc 1.jpg|thumb|Xenon short-arc lamp|alt=Elongated glass sphere with two metal rod electrodes inside, facing each other. One electrode is blunt and another is sharpened.]]
[[File:STS-135 Atlantis rollout 1.jpg|thumb|Space Shuttle ''[[Space Shuttle Atlantis|Atlantis]]'' bathed in xenon lights]]
[[File:Xenon discharge tube.jpg|thumb|Xenon gas discharge tube]]
Xenon is used in light-emitting devices called xenon flash lamps, used in [[Flash (photography)|photographic flashes]] and stroboscopic lamps;<ref name="burke">{{cite book
| first     = James
| last      = Burke
| date      = 2003
| title     = Twin Tracks: The Unexpected Origins of the Modern World
| publisher = Oxford University Press
| isbn      = 0-7432-2619-4
| page      = [https://archive.org/details/twintracks00jame/page/33 33]
| url       = https://archive.org/details/twintracks00jame/page/33
}}</ref> to excite the [[active laser medium|active medium]] in [[laser]]s which then generate [[coherent light]];<ref>{{cite web
| author       = Staff
| year         = 2007
| url          = http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/1928438066cae92d85256a63004b880d/32f3a328e11bb600052565660052c139?OpenDocument
| title        = Xenon Applications
| publisher    = Praxair Technology
| access-date  = October 4, 2007
| archive-date = March 22, 2013
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20130322123535/http://www.praxair.com/praxair.nsf/1928438066cae92d85256a63004b880d/32f3a328e11bb600052565660052c139?OpenDocument
| url-status   = dead
}}</ref> and, occasionally, in [[Bactericide|bactericidal]] lamps.<ref>{{cite journal
| last    = Baltás
| first   = E.
| author2 = Csoma, Z.
| author3 = Bodai, L.
| author4 = Ignácz, F.
| author5 = Dobozy, A.
| author6 = Kemény, L.
| s2cid   = 122651818
| title   = A xenon-iodine electric discharge bactericidal lamp
| journal = Technical Physics Letters
| year    = 2003
| volume  = 29
| issue   = 10
| pages   = 871–72
| doi     = 10.1134/1.1623874
| bibcode = 2003TePhL..29..871S
}}</ref> The first solid-state [[laser]], invented in 1960, was pumped by a xenon flash lamp,<ref name="toyserkani">{{cite book
| last      = Toyserkani
| first     = E.
| date      = 2004
| author2   = Khajepour, A.
| author3   = Corbin, S.
| page      = 48
| title     = Laser Cladding
| publisher = CRC Press
| isbn      = 0-8493-2172-7
| url       = https://books.google.com/books?id=zfvbyCHzVqMC&pg=PA48
}}</ref> and lasers used to power [[inertial confinement fusion]] are also pumped by xenon flash lamps.<ref>{{cite journal
| last         = Skeldon
| first        = M. D.
| author2      = Saager, R.
| author3      = Okishev, A.
| author4      = Seka, W.
| title        = Thermal distortions in laser-diode- and flash-lamp-pumped Nd:YLF laser rods
| journal      = LLE Review
| year         = 1997
| volume       = 71
| pages        = 137–44
| url          = http://www.lle.rochester.edu/pub/review/v71/6_thermal.pdf
| access-date  = February 4, 2007
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20031016171340/http://www.lle.rochester.edu/pub/review/v71/6_thermal.pdf
| archive-date = October 16, 2003
}}</ref>

Continuous, short-arc, high pressure [[xenon arc lamp]]s have a [[color temperature]] closely approximating noon sunlight and are used in [[Solar Simulator|solar simulators]]. That is, the [[chromaticity]] of these lamps closely approximates a heated [[black body]] radiator at the temperature of the Sun. First introduced in the 1940s, these lamps replaced the shorter-lived [[carbon arc lamp]]s in movie projectors.<ref name="mellor">{{cite book
| first      = David
| last       = Mellor
| year       = 2000
| page       = [https://archive.org/details/soundpersonsguid0000mell/page/186 186]
| title      = Sound Person's Guide to Video
| publisher  = [[Focal Press]]
| isbn       = 0-240-51595-1
| url        = https://archive.org/details/soundpersonsguid0000mell
| url-access = registration
}}</ref> They are also employed in typical [[35mm movie film|35mm]], [[IMAX]], and [[digital projectors|digital]] [[Movie projector|film projection]] systems. They are an excellent source of short wavelength [[ultraviolet]] radiation and have intense emissions in the near [[infrared]] used in some [[night vision]] systems. Xenon is used as a starter gas in [[Metal-halide lamp|metal halide lamps]] for [[HID Headlight|automotive HID headlights]], and high-end [[tactical light|"tactical" flashlights]].

The individual cells in a [[plasma display]] contain a mixture of xenon and neon ionized with [[electrode]]s. The interaction of this plasma with the electrodes generates ultraviolet [[photon]]s, which then excite the [[phosphor]] coating on the front of the display.<ref>{{cite web
| author       = Anonymous
| url          = http://www.plasmatvscience.org/theinnerworkings.html
| title        = The plasma behind the plasma TV screen
| publisher    = Plasma TV Science
| access-date  = October 14, 2007
| url-status   = dead
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20071015160452/http://plasmatvscience.org/theinnerworkings.html
| archive-date = October 15, 2007
}}</ref><ref>{{cite news
| last        = Marin
| first       = Rick
| date        = March 21, 2001
| title       = Plasma TV: That New Object Of Desire
| newspaper   = [[The New York Times]]
| url         = https://www.nytimes.com/2001/03/25/style/plasma-tv-that-new-object-of-desire.html?sec=&spon=
| access-date = April 3, 2009
}}</ref>

Xenon is used as a "starter gas" in [[Sodium vapor lamp|high pressure sodium lamps]]. It has the lowest [[thermal conductivity]] and lowest [[ionization potential]] of all the non-radioactive noble gases. As a noble gas, it does not interfere with the chemical reactions occurring in the operating lamp. The low thermal conductivity minimizes thermal losses in the lamp while in the operating state, and the low ionization potential causes the [[breakdown voltage]] of the gas to be relatively low in the cold state, which allows the lamp to be more easily started.<ref>{{cite book
| first     = John
| last      = Waymouth
| date      = 1971
| title     = Electric Discharge Lamps
| publisher = [[MIT Press]]
| location  = Cambridge, MA
| isbn      = 0-262-23048-8
| url       = https://archive.org/details/electricdischarg00waym
}}</ref>

==== Lasers ====
In 1962, a group of researchers at [[Bell Labs|Bell Laboratories]] discovered laser action in xenon,<ref>{{cite journal
| first   = C. K. N.
| last    = Patel
| author2 = Bennett Jr., W. R.
| author3 = Faust, W. L.
| author4 = McFarlane, R. A.
| title   = Infrared spectroscopy using stimulated emission techniques
| volume  = 9
| issue   = 3
| date    = August 1, 1962
| pages   = 102–4
| journal = Physical Review Letters
| doi     = 10.1103/PhysRevLett.9.102
| bibcode = 1962PhRvL...9..102P
}}</ref> and later found that the laser gain was improved by adding [[helium]] to the lasing medium.<ref>{{cite journal
| first      = C. K. N.
| last       = Patel
| author2    = Faust, W. L.
| author3    = McFarlane, R. A.
| title      = High gain gaseous (Xe-He) optical masers
| journal    = Applied Physics Letters
| volume     = 1
| issue      = 4
| pages      = 84–85
| date       = December 1, 1962
| doi        = 10.1063/1.1753707
| bibcode    = 1962ApPhL...1...84P
| doi-access = free
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| first   = W. R.
| last    = Bennett, Jr.
| title   = Gaseous optical masers
| journal = Applied Optics
| volume  = 1
| issue   = S1
| year    = 1962
| pages   = 24–61
| doi     = 10.1364/AO.1.000024
| bibcode = 1962ApOpt...1S..24B
}}</ref> The first [[excimer laser]] used a xenon [[Dimer (chemistry)|dimer]] (Xe<sub>2</sub>) energized by a beam of electrons to produce [[stimulated emission]] at an [[ultraviolet]] wavelength of 176 [[nanometre|nm]].<ref name="basov">{{cite journal
| doi     = 10.1070/QE1971v001n01ABEH003011
| last    = Basov
| first   = N. G.
| author2 = Danilychev, V. A.
| author3 = Popov, Yu. M.
| title   = Stimulated Emission in the Vacuum Ultraviolet Region
| journal = Soviet Journal of Quantum Electronics
| year    = 1971
| volume  = 1
| issue   = 1
| pages   = 18–22
| bibcode = 1971QuEle...1...18B
}}</ref>
Xenon chloride and xenon fluoride have also been used in excimer (or, more accurately, exciplex) lasers.<ref>{{cite web
| url          = http://www.safetyoffice.uwaterloo.ca/hse/laser/documents/laser_types.html
| title        = Laser Output
| publisher    = University of Waterloo
| access-date  = October 7, 2007
| archive-date = July 6, 2011
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20110706212050/http://www.safetyoffice.uwaterloo.ca/hse/laser/documents/laser_types.html
| url-status   = dead
}}</ref>

=== Medical ===
{{Infobox drug
| container_only = yes
| image             = 
| width             = 
| alt               = 
| caption           = 

<!-- Clinical data -->
| pronounce         = 
| tradename         = 
| Drugs.com         = 
| MedlinePlus       = 
| DailyMedID        = Xenon
| pregnancy_AU      = <!-- A / B1 / B2 / B3 / C / D / X -->
| pregnancy_AU_comment = 
| pregnancy_category = 
| routes_of_administration = 
| class             = 
| ATC_prefix        = V04
| ATC_suffix        = CX12
| ATC_supplemental  = 

<!-- Legal status -->
| legal_AU          = <!-- S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 or Unscheduled -->
| legal_AU_comment  = 
| legal_BR          = <!-- OTC, A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, D1, D2, E, F -->
| legal_BR_comment  = 
| legal_CA          = <!-- OTC, Rx-only, Schedule I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII -->
| legal_CA_comment  = 
| legal_DE          = <!-- Anlage I, II, III or Unscheduled -->
| legal_DE_comment  = 
| legal_NZ          = <!-- Class A, B, C -->
| legal_NZ_comment  = 
| legal_UK          = <!-- GSL, P, POM, CD, CD Lic, CD POM, CD No Reg POM, CD (Benz) POM, CD (Anab) POM or CD Inv POM / Class A, B, C -->
| legal_UK_comment  = 
| legal_US          = Rx-only
| legal_US_comment  = <ref>{{cite web | title=Xenon, Xe-133- xenon gas | website=DailyMed | date=October 16, 2024 | url=https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=5eb971be-8808-4aeb-9898-0d22d5dffe04 | access-date=December 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Xenon- xenon xe-133 gas | website=DailyMed | date=November 28, 2022 | url=https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=35bdc182-2a41-41d2-8fe7-aa0c140d4425 | access-date=December 24, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Xenoview- xenon xe 129 hyperpolarized gas | website=DailyMed | date=December 30, 2022 | url=https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=70e33fe3-c722-439b-b3db-c2a22f229c8a | access-date=December 24, 2024}}</ref>
| legal_EU          = 
| legal_EU_comment  = 
| legal_UN          = <!-- N I, II, III, IV / P I, II, III, IV -->
| legal_UN_comment  = 
| legal_status      = <!-- For countries not listed above -->

<!-- Pharmacokinetic data -->
| bioavailability   = 
| protein_bound     = 
| metabolism        = 
| metabolites       = 
| onset             = 
| elimination_half-life = 
| duration_of_action = 
| excretion         = 

<!-- Identifiers -->
| CAS_number        = 7440-63-3
| CAS_supplemental  = 
| PubChem           = 23991
| IUPHAR_ligand     = 
| DrugBank          = DB13453
| ChemSpiderID      = 
| KEGG              = 
| ChEBI = 49956
| ChEMBL = 1236802
| NIAID_ChemDB      = 
| PDB_ligand        = 
| synonyms          = 
| UNII = 3H3U766W84

<!-- Chemical and physical data -->
| IUPAC_name        = 
| chemical_formula_ref = 
| chemical_formula  = 
| StdInChI=1S/Xe
| StdInChIKey = FHNFHKCVQCLJFQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N
| SMILES = [Xe]
}}

==== Anesthesia ====
Xenon has been used as a [[general anesthetic]], but it is more expensive than conventional anesthetics.<ref>{{cite journal
| last1      = Neice
| first1     = A. E.
| last2      = Zornow
| first2     = M. H.
| title      = Xenon anaesthesia for all, or only a select few?
| journal    = Anaesthesia
| year       = 2016
| volume     = 71
| issue      = 11
| pages      = 1259–72
| doi        = 10.1111/anae.13569
| pmid       = 27530275
| doi-access = free
}}</ref>

Xenon interacts with many different receptors and ion channels, and like many theoretically multi-modal inhalation anesthetics, these interactions are likely complementary. Xenon is a high-affinity glycine-site [[NMDA receptor antagonist]].<ref name="nmda">{{cite journal
| title      = Competitive inhibition at the glycine site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor mediates xenon neuroprotection against hypoxia-ischemia
| journal    = Anesthesiology
| pmid       = 20124979
| year       = 2010
| last1      = Banks
| first1     = P.
| last2      = Franks
| first2     = N. P.
| last3      = Dickinson
| first3     = R.
| volume     = 112
| issue      = 3
| pages      = 614–22
| doi        = 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181cea398
| doi-access = free
}}</ref> However, xenon is different from certain other NMDA receptor antagonists in that it is not [[neurotoxicity|neurotoxic]] and it inhibits the neurotoxicity of [[ketamine]] and [[nitrous oxide]] (N<sub>2</sub>O), while actually producing [[neuroprotection|neuroprotective effects]].<ref>{{cite journal
| title      = Neuroprotective and neurotoxic properties of the 'inert' gas, xenon
| journal    = British Journal of Anaesthesia
| pmid       = 12393773
| year       = 2002
| last1      = Ma
| first1     = D.
| last2      = Wilhelm
| first2     = S.
| last3      = Maze
| first3     = M.
| last4      = Franks
| first4     = N. P.
| volume     = 89
| issue      = 5
| pages      = 739–46
| doi        = 10.1093/bja/89.5.739
| doi-access = free
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| title      = Xenon inhibits but N<sub>2</sub>O enhances ketamine-induced c-Fos expression in the rat posterior cingulate and retrosplenial cortices
| journal    = Anesthesia & Analgesia
| pmid       = 11159233
| year       = 2001
| last1      = Nagata
| first1     = A.
| last2      = Nakao Si
| first2     = S.
| last3      = Nishizawa
| first3     = N.
| last4      = Masuzawa
| first4     = M.
| last5      = Inada
| first5     = T.
| last6      = Murao
| first6     = K.
| last7      = Miyamoto
| first7     = E.
| last8      = Shingu
| first8     = K.
| s2cid      = 15167421
| volume     = 92
| issue      = 2
| pages      = 362–368
| doi        = 10.1213/00000539-200102000-00016
| doi-access = free
}}</ref> Unlike ketamine and nitrous oxide, xenon does not stimulate a dopamine efflux in the [[nucleus accumbens]].<ref>{{cite journal
| title   = The differential effects of nitrous oxide and xenon on extracellular dopamine levels in the rat nucleus accumbens: a microdialysis study
| journal = [[Anesthesia & Analgesia]]
| pmid    = 17122223
| year    = 2006
| last1   = Sakamoto
| first1  = S.
| last2   = Nakao
| first2  = S.
| last3   = Masuzawa
| first3  = M.
| last4   = Inada
| first4  = T.
| last5   = Maze
| first5  = M.
| last6   = Franks
| first6  = N. P.
| last7   = Shingu
| first7  = K.
| s2cid   = 1882085
| volume  = 103
| issue   = 6
| pages   = 1459–63
| doi     = 10.1213/01.ane.0000247792.03959.f1
}}</ref>

Like nitrous oxide and [[cyclopropane]], xenon activates the two-pore domain potassium channel [[KCNK2|TREK-1]]. A related channel [[KCNK9|TASK-3]] also implicated in the actions of inhalation anesthetics is insensitive to xenon.<ref>{{cite journal
| title   = Two-pore-domain K<sup>+</sup> channels are a novel target for the anesthetic gases xenon, nitrous oxide, and cyclopropane
| journal = Molecular Pharmacology
| pmid    = 14742687
| year    = 2004
| last1   = Gruss
| first1  = M.
| last2   = Bushell
| first2  = T. J.
| last3   = Bright
| first3  = D. P.
| last4   = Lieb
| first4  = W. R.
| last5   = Mathie
| first5  = A.
| last6   = Franks
| first6  = N. P.
| s2cid   = 7762447
| volume  = 65
| issue   = 2
| pages   = 443–52
| doi     = 10.1124/mol.65.2.443
}}</ref> Xenon inhibits nicotinic acetylcholine [[Alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptor|α4β2]] receptors which contribute to spinally mediated analgesia.<ref>{{cite journal
| title      = Effects of gaseous anesthetics nitrous oxide and xenon on ligand-gated ion channels. Comparison with isoflurane and ethanol
| journal    = Anesthesiology
| pmid       = 11020766
| year       = 2000
| last1      = Yamakura
| first1     = T.
| last2      = Harris
| first2     = R. A.
| s2cid      = 4684919
| volume     = 93
| issue      = 4
| pages      = 1095–101
| doi        = 10.1097/00000542-200010000-00034
| doi-access = free
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| title   = Tonic inhibitory role of α4β2 subtype of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on nociceptive transmission in the spinal cord in mice
| journal = Pain
| pmid    = 16781069
| year    = 2006
| last1   = Rashid
| first1  = M. H.
| last2   = Furue
| first2  = H.
| last3   = Yoshimura
| first3  = M.
| last4   = Ueda
| first4  = H.
| s2cid   = 53151557
| volume  = 125
| issue   = 1–2
| pages   = 125–35
| doi     = 10.1016/j.pain.2006.05.011
}}</ref> Xenon is an effective inhibitor of [[Plasma membrane Ca2+ ATPase|plasma membrane Ca<sup>2+</sup> ATPase]]. Xenon inhibits Ca<sup>2+</sup> ATPase by binding to a hydrophobic pore within the enzyme and preventing the enzyme from assuming active conformations.<ref>{{cite journal
| first1     = Maria M.
| last1      = Lopez
| last2      = Kosk-Kosicka
| first2     = Danuta
| title      = How Do Volatile Anesthetics Inhibit Ca<sup>2+</sup>-ATPases?
| journal    = [[The Journal of Biological Chemistry]]
| year       = 1995
| doi        = 10.1074/jbc.270.47.28239
| pmid       = 7499320
| volume     = 270
| issue      = 47
| pages      = 28239–245
| doi-access = free
}}</ref>

Xenon is a competitive inhibitor of the [[serotonin]] [[5-HT3 receptor|5-HT<sub>3</sub> receptor]]. While neither anesthetic nor antinociceptive, this reduces anesthesia-emergent nausea and vomiting.<ref>{{cite journal
| title      = The diverse actions of volatile and gaseous anesthetics on human-cloned 5-hydroxytryptamine<sup>3</sup> receptors expressed in ''Xenopus'' oocytes
| journal    = Anesthesiology
| pmid       = 11873047
| year       = 2002
| last1      = Suzuki
| first1     = T.
| last2      = Koyama
| first2     = H.
| last3      = Sugimoto
| first3     = M.
| last4      = Uchida
| first4     = I.
| last5      = Mashimo
| first5     = T.
| s2cid      = 6705116
| volume     = 96
| issue      = 3
| pages      = 699–704
| doi        = 10.1097/00000542-200203000-00028
| doi-access = free
}}</ref>

Xenon has a [[minimum alveolar concentration]] (MAC) of 72% at age 40, making it 44% more potent than N<sub>2</sub>O as an anesthetic.<ref>{{cite journal
| last1      = Nickalls
| first1     = R.W.D.
| last2      = Mapleson
| first2     = W.W.
| title      = Age-related iso-MAC charts for isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane in man
| journal    = British Journal of Anaesthesia
| date       = August 2003
| volume     = 91
| issue      = 2
| pages      = 170–74
| doi        = 10.1093/bja/aeg132
| pmid       = 12878613
| doi-access = free
}}</ref> Thus, it can be used with oxygen in concentrations that have a lower risk of [[Hypoxia (medical)|hypoxia]]. Unlike nitrous oxide, xenon is not a [[greenhouse gas]] and is viewed as [[environmentally friendly]].<ref name="Goto2003">{{Cite journal
| last       = Goto
| first      = T.
| author2    = Nakata Y
| author3    = Morita S
| s2cid      = 19119058
| title      = Will xenon be a stranger or a friend?: the cost, benefit, and future of xenon anesthesia
| journal    = Anesthesiology
| volume     = 98
| issue      = 1
| pages      = 1–2
| year       = 2003
| pmid       = 12502969
| doi        = 10.1097/00000542-200301000-00002
| doi-access = free
}}</ref> Though recycled in modern systems, xenon vented to the atmosphere is only returning to its original source, without environmental impact.

==== Neuroprotectant ====
Xenon induces robust [[cardioprotection]] and [[neuroprotection]] through a variety of mechanisms. Through its influence on Ca<sup>2+</sup>, K<sup>+</sup>, [[ATP-sensitive potassium channel|KATP]]\HIF, and NMDA antagonism, xenon is neuroprotective when administered before, during and after [[Ischemia|ischemic]] insults.<ref>{{cite journal
| title      = Xenon Attenuates Cerebral Damage after Ischemia in Pigs
| date       = May 2005
| volume     = 102
| issue      = 5
| pages      = 929–36
| doi        = 10.1097/00000542-200505000-00011
| pmid       = 15851879
| journal    = Anesthesiology
| last1      = Schmidt
| first1     = Michael
| last2      = Marx
| first2     = Thomas
| last3      = Glöggl
| first3     = Egon
| last4      = Reinelt
| first4     = Helmut
| last5      = Schirmer
| first5     = Uwe
| s2cid      = 25266308
| doi-access = free
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| title      = Xenon Provides Short-Term Neuroprotection in Neonatal Rats When Administered After Hypoxia-Ischemia
| journal    = Stroke
| pmid       = 16373643
| doi        = 10.1161/01.STR.0000198867.31134.ac
| year       = 2006
| last1      = Dingley
| first1     = J.
| last2      = Tooley
| first2     = J.
| last3      = Porter
| first3     = H.
| last4      = Thoresen
| first4     = M.
| volume     = 37
| issue      = 2
| pages      = 501–6
| url        = http://www.reanimatology.com/rmt/article/view/1340
| doi-access = free
}}</ref> Xenon is a high affinity antagonist at the NMDA receptor glycine site.<ref name="nmda" /> Xenon is cardioprotective in ischemia-reperfusion conditions by inducing [[Pharmacology|pharmacologic]] non-ischemic preconditioning. Xenon is cardioprotective by activating PKC-epsilon and downstream p38-MAPK.<ref>{{cite journal
| title   = The noble gas xenon induces pharmacological preconditioning in the rat heart in vivo via induction of PKC-epsilon and p38 MAPK
| journal = Br J Pharmacol
| pmid    = 15644876
| year    = 2005
| last1   = Weber
| first1  = N. C.
| last2   = Toma
| first2  = O.
| last3   = Wolter
| first3  = J. I.
| last4   = Obal
| first4  = D.
| last5   = Müllenheim
| first5  = J.
| last6   = Preckel
| first6  = B.
| last7   = Schlack
| first7  = W.
| volume  = 144
| issue   = 1
| pages   = 123–32
| doi     = 10.1038/sj.bjp.0706063
| pmc     = 1575984
}}</ref> Xenon mimics neuronal ischemic preconditioning by activating ATP sensitive potassium channels.<ref>{{cite journal
| title   = Neuronal preconditioning by inhalational anesthetics: evidence for the role of plasmalemmal adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channels
| journal = Anesthesiology
| pmid    = 19352153
| year    = 2009
| last1   = Bantel
| first1  = C.
| last2   = Maze
| first2  = M.
| last3   = Trapp
| first3  = S.
| volume  = 110
| issue   = 5
| pages   = 986–95
| doi     = 10.1097/ALN.0b013e31819dadc7
| pmc     = 2930813
}}</ref> Xenon allosterically reduces ATP mediated channel activation inhibition independently of the sulfonylurea receptor1 subunit, increasing KATP open-channel time and frequency.<ref>{{cite journal
| title   = Noble gas xenon is a novel adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium channel opener
| journal = Anesthesiology
| pmid    = 20179498
| year    = 2010
| last1   = Bantel
| first1  = C.
| last2   = Maze
| first2  = M.
| last3   = Trapp
| first3  = S.
| volume  = 112
| issue   = 3
| pages   = 623–30
| doi     = 10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181cf894a
| pmc     = 2935677
}}</ref>

==== Sports doping and mountaineering ====
Inhaling a xenon/oxygen mixture activates production of the [[transcription factor]] [[HIF1A|HIF-1-alpha]], which may lead to increased production of [[erythropoietin]]. The latter hormone is known to increase [[red blood cell]] production and athletic performance. Reportedly, doping with xenon inhalation has been used in Russia since 2004 and perhaps earlier.<ref>{{cite news
| title     = Breathe it in
| url       = https://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21595890-obscure-gas-improves-athletes-performance-breathe-it
| newspaper = [[The Economist]]
| date      = February 8, 2014
}}</ref> On August 31, 2014, the [[World Anti Doping Agency]] (WADA) added xenon (and [[argon]]) to the list of prohibited substances and methods, although no reliable doping tests for these gases have yet been developed.<ref>{{cite news
| title        = WADA amends Section S.2.1 of 2014 Prohibited List
| url          = https://www.wada-ama.org/en/media/2014-05/wada-amends-section-s21-of-2014-prohibited-list
| date         = August 31, 2014
| access-date  = September 1, 2014
| archive-date = April 27, 2021
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20210427160909/https://www.wada-ama.org/en/media/2014-05/wada-amends-section-s21-of-2014-prohibited-list#.VARJ3WNqOIl
| url-status   = dead
}}</ref> In addition, effects of xenon on erythropoietin production in humans have not been demonstrated, so far.<ref>{{cite journal
| last       = Jelkmann
| first      = W.
| s2cid      = 55832101
| title      = Xenon Misuse in Sports
| journal    = Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin
| publisher  = Deutsche Zeitschrift für Sportmedizin/German Journal of Sports Medicine
| volume     = 2014
| issue      = 10
| year       = 2014
| pages      = 267–71
| doi        = 10.5960/dzsm.2014.143
| doi-access = free
}}</ref>

In 2025, a [[Mount Everest]] expedition team planned to inhale xenon gas 10 days before their expedition to allow for an ascent of the mountain within a week's time due to supposed erythropoietin production. The [[International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation]] (UIAA) criticised the decision, citing that there is no evidence that the inhalation of xenon improves performance in high elevation environments. Furthermore, the UIAA warned that as an anesthetic, xenon gas could result in impaired brain function, respiratory compromise, and death if used in an unmonitored setting.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodyatt |first=Amy |date=2025-05-13 |title=They want to climb Everest in a week using an anesthetic gas. Critics warn it’s dangerous |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/13/travel/climb-everest-one-week-xenon-intl |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-29 |title=Can Mount Everest really be climbed in a week? |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20250428-can-mount-everest-really-be-climbed-in-a-week |access-date=2025-05-15 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==== Imaging ====
{{main|Xenon gas MRI}}
[[gamma ray|Gamma]] emission from the [[radioisotope]] <sup>133</sup>Xe of xenon can be used to image the heart, lungs, and brain, for example, by means of [[single photon emission computed tomography]]. <sup>133</sup>Xe has also been used to measure [[blood flow]].<ref>{{cite book
| first     = Ernst
| last      = Van Der Wall
| date      = 1992
| title     = What's New in Cardiac Imaging?: SPECT, PET, and MRI
| publisher = Springer
| isbn      = 0-7923-1615-0
| url       = https://books.google.com/books?id=PypZMUhqnK8C&pg=PA41
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| last        = Frank
| first       = John
| title       = Introduction to imaging: The chest
| journal     = Student BMJ
| year        = 1999
| volume      = 12
| pages       = 1–44
| url         = http://student.bmj.com/issues/04/01/education/8.php
| access-date = June 4, 2008
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| last         = Chandak
| first        = Puneet K.
| date         = July 20, 1995
| url          = http://brighamrad.harvard.edu/education/online/BrainSPECT/Theory/Xenon133.html
| title        = Brain SPECT: Xenon-133
| publisher    = Brigham RAD
| access-date  = June 4, 2008
| url-status   = dead
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120104015834/http://brighamrad.harvard.edu/education/online/BrainSPECT/Theory/Xenon133.html
| archive-date = January 4, 2012
}}</ref>

Xenon, particularly hyperpolarized <sup>129</sup>Xe, is a useful [[contrast agent]] for [[MRI|magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI). In the gas phase, it can image cavities in a porous sample, alveoli in lungs, or the flow of gases within the lungs.<ref>{{cite journal
| last    = Albert
| first   = M. S.
| author2 = Balamore, D.
| title   = Development of hyperpolarized noble gas MRI
| journal = Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research A
| year    = 1998
| volume  = 402
| issue   = 2–3
| pages   = 441–53
| doi     = 10.1016/S0168-9002(97)00888-7
| pmid    = 11543065
| bibcode = 1998NIMPA.402..441A
}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine
| last         = Irion
| first        = Robert
| date         = March 23, 1999
| title        = Head Full of Xenon?
| magazine     = Science News
| url          = http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/1999/323/3
| access-date  = October 8, 2007
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20040117194538/http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/1999/323/3
| archive-date = January 17, 2004
}}</ref> Because xenon is [[soluble]] both in water and in hydrophobic solvents, it can image various soft living tissues.<ref>{{cite journal
| title   = Intravascular delivery of hyperpolarized 129Xenon for in vivo MRI
| journal = Applied Magnetic Resonance
| volume  = 15
| issue   = 3–4
| date    = 1998
| doi     = 10.1007/BF03162020
| pages   = 343–52
| author  = Wolber, J.
| last2   = Rowland
| first2  = I. J.
| last3   = Leach
| first3  = M. O.
| last4   = Bifone
| first4  = A.
| s2cid   = 100913538
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| pmid    = 19703880
| date    = 2009
| author1 = Driehuys, B.
| author2 = Möller, H.E.
| author3 = Cleveland, Z.I.
| author4 = Pollaro, J.
| author5 = Hedlund, L.W.
| title   = Pulmonary perfusion and xenon gas exchange in rats: MR imaging with intravenous injection of hyperpolarized 129Xe
| volume  = 252
| pages   = 386–93
| doi     = 10.1148/radiol.2522081550
| pmc     = 2753782
| journal = Radiology
| issue   = 2
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| pmid    = 19702286
| date    = 2009
| author  = Cleveland, Z.I.
| author2 = Möller, H.E.
| author3 = Hedlund, L.W.
| author4 = Driehuys, B.
| title   = Continuously infusing hyperpolarized 129Xe into flowing aqueous solutions using hydrophobic gas exchange membranes
| volume  = 113
| issue   = 37
| pages   = 12489–99
| doi     = 10.1021/jp9049582
| pmc     = 2747043
| journal = The Journal of Physical Chemistry
}}</ref>

Xenon-129 is used as a visualization agent in MRI scans. When a patient inhales hyperpolarized xenon-129 ventilation and gas exchange in the lungs can be imaged and quantified. Unlike xenon-133, xenon-129 is non-ionizing and is safe to be inhaled with no adverse effects.<ref>{{Cite journal
| date     = February 1, 2021
| title    = In vivo methods and applications of xenon-129 magnetic resonance
| journal  = Progress in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
| language = en
| volume   = 122
| pages    = 42–62
| doi      = 10.1016/j.pnmrs.2020.11.002
| issn     = 0079-6565
| pmc      = 7933823
| last1    = Marshall
| first1   = Helen
| last2    = Stewart
| first2   = Neil J.
| last3    = Chan
| first3   = Ho-Fung
| last4    = Rao
| first4   = Madhwesha
| last5    = Norquay
| first5   = Graham
| last6    = Wild
| first6   = Jim M.
| pmid     = 33632417
| bibcode  = 2021PNMRS.122...42M
}}</ref>

==== Surgery ====
The xenon chloride [[excimer laser]] has certain dermatological uses.<ref>{{cite journal
| last    = Baltás
| first   = E.
| year    = 2006
| title   = Treatment of atopic dermatitis with the xenon chloride excimer laser
| journal = Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology
| volume  = 20
| issue   = 6
| pages   = 657–60
| doi     = 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2006.01495.x
| pmid    = 16836491
| author2 = Csoma, Z.
| author3 = Bodai, L.
| author4 = Ignácz, F.
| author5 = Dobozy, A.
| author6 = Kemény, L.
| s2cid   = 20156819
}}</ref>

=== NMR spectroscopy ===
Because of the xenon atom's large, flexible outer electron shell, the [[nuclear magnetic resonance|NMR]] spectrum changes in response to surrounding conditions and can be used to monitor the surrounding chemical circumstances. For instance, xenon dissolved in water, xenon dissolved in hydrophobic solvent, and xenon associated with certain proteins can be distinguished by NMR.<ref>{{cite journal
| journal = Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry
| volume  = 27
| issue   = 10
| pages   = 950–52
| doi     = 10.1002/mrc.1260271009
| title   = Interpretation of the solvent effect on the screening constant of Xe-129
| author  = Luhmer, M.
| date    = 1989
| last2   = Dejaegere
| first2  = A.
| last3   = Reisse
| first3  = J.
| s2cid   = 95432492
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| author     = Rubin, Seth M.
| author2    = Spence, Megan M.
| author3    = Goodson, Boyd M.
| author4    = Wemmer, David E.
| author5    = Pines, Alexander
| title      = Evidence of nonspecific surface interactions between laser-polarized xenon and myoglobin in solution
| journal    = [[Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA]]
| date       = August 15, 2000
| volume     = 97
| pmid       = 10931956
| issue      = 17
| pmc        = 16888
| pages      = 9472–5
| doi        = 10.1073/pnas.170278897
| bibcode    = 2000PNAS...97.9472R
| doi-access = free
}}</ref>

Hyperpolarized xenon can be used by [[Surface science|surface chemists]]. Normally, it is difficult to characterize surfaces with NMR because signals from a surface are overwhelmed by signals from the atomic nuclei in the bulk of the sample, which are much more numerous than surface nuclei. However, nuclear spins on solid surfaces can be selectively polarized by [[Proton Enhanced Nuclear Induction Spectroscopy|transferring spin polarization to them]] from hyperpolarized xenon gas. This makes the surface signals strong enough to measure and distinguish from bulk signals.<ref>{{cite journal
| doi     = 10.1021/ja972035d
| title   = Optical Pumping and Magic Angle Spinning: Sensitivity and Resolution Enhancement for Surface NMR Obtained with Laser-Polarized Xenon
| date    = 1997
| author  = Raftery, Daniel
| author2 = MacNamara, Ernesto
| author3 = Fisher, Gregory
| author4 = Rice, Charles V.
| author5 = Smith, Jay
| journal = Journal of the American Chemical Society
| volume  = 119
| issue   = 37
| pages   = 8746–47
| bibcode = 1997JAChS.119.8746R
}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal
| author  = Gaede, H. C.
| author2 = Song, Y. -Q.
| author3 = Taylor, R. E.
| author4 = Munson, E. J.
| author5 = Reimer, J. A.
| author6 = Pines, A.
| s2cid   = 34971961
| doi     = 10.1007/BF03162652
| title   = High-field cross polarization NMR from laser-polarized xenon to surface nuclei
| date    = 1995
| journal = Applied Magnetic Resonance
| volume  = 8
| issue   = 3–4
| pages   = 373–84
}}</ref>

=== Other ===
[[File:Xenon ion engine prototype.png|thumb|A prototype of a xenon ion engine being tested at NASA's [[Jet Propulsion Laboratory]] | alt=A metal cylinder with electrodes attached to its side. Blue diffuse light is coming out of the tube.]]
In [[Nuclear physics|nuclear energy]] studies, xenon is used in [[bubble chamber]]s,<ref>{{cite book
| first     = Peter Louis
| last      = Galison
| date      = 1997
| title     = Image and Logic: A Material Culture of Microphysics
| page      = 339
| url       = https://books.google.com/books?id=HnRDiDtO5yoC&pg=PA339
| publisher = University of Chicago Press
| isbn      = 0-226-27917-0
}}</ref> probes, and in other areas where a high [[Molecular mass|molecular weight]] and inert chemistry is desirable. A by-product of [[nuclear weapon]] testing is the release of radioactive [[isotopes of xenon|xenon-133 and xenon-135]]. These isotopes are monitored to ensure compliance with nuclear [[Test Ban Treaty (disambiguation)|test ban treaties]],<ref>{{cite journal
| author  = Fontaine, J.-P.
| author2 = Pointurier, F.
| author3 = Blanchard, X.
| author4 = Taffary, T.
| title   = Atmospheric xenon radioactive isotope monitoring
| journal = Journal of Environmental Radioactivity
| volume  = 72
| issue   = 1–2
| pages   = 129–35
| date    = 2004
| doi     = 10.1016/S0265-931X(03)00194-2
| pmid    = 15162864
| bibcode = 2004JEnvR..72..129F
}}</ref> and to confirm nuclear tests by states such as [[North Korea]].<ref>{{cite journal
| author      = Garwin, Richard L.
| author2     = von Hippel Frank N.
| title       = A Technical Analysis: Deconstructing North Korea's October 9 Nuclear Test
| publisher   = Arms Control Association
| journal     = Arms Control Today
| volume      = 38
| issue       = 9
| date        = November 2006
| access-date = March 26, 2009
| url         = http://www.armscontrol.org/act/2006_11/tech
}}</ref>

Liquid xenon is used in [[Calorimeter (particle physics)|calorimeters]]<ref>{{cite journal
| author     = Gallucci, G.
| title      = The MEG liquid xenon calorimeter
| journal    = Journal of Physics: Conference Series
| volume     = 160
| issue      = 1
| date       = 2009
| doi        = 10.1088/1742-6596/160/1/012011
| page       = 012011
| bibcode    = 2009JPhCS.160a2011G
| doi-access = free
}}</ref> to measure [[gamma ray]]s, and as a detector of hypothetical [[weakly interacting massive particles]], or WIMPs. When a WIMP collides with a xenon nucleus, theory predicts it will impart enough energy to cause ionization and [[Scintillation (physics)|scintillation]]. Liquid xenon is useful for these experiments because its density makes dark matter interaction more likely and it permits a quiet detector through self-shielding.

Xenon is the preferred [[propellant]] for [[ion propulsion]] of [[spacecraft]] because it has low [[ionization potential]] per [[Atomic mass|atomic weight]] and can be stored as a liquid at near [[room temperature]] (under high pressure), yet easily evaporated to feed the engine. Xenon is inert, environmentally friendly, and less corrosive to an [[ion engine]] than other fuels such as [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] or [[caesium]]. Xenon was first used for satellite ion engines during the 1970s.<ref>{{cite web
| last         = Zona
| first        = Kathleen
| date         = March 17, 2006
| url          = http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/fs08grc.html
| title        = Innovative Engines: Glenn Ion Propulsion Research Tames the Challenges of 21st century Space Travel
| publisher    = NASA
| access-date  = October 4, 2007
| url-status   = dead
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070915023928/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/fs08grc.html
| archive-date = September 15, 2007
}}</ref> It was later employed as a propellant for JPL's [[Deep Space 1]] probe, Europe's [[SMART-1]] spacecraft<ref name="saccoccia">{{cite news
| last        = Saccoccia
| first       = G.
| author2     = del Amo, J. G.
| author3     = Estublier, D.
| title       = Ion engine gets SMART-1 to the Moon
| date        = August 31, 2006
| publisher   = ESA
| url         = http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/SMART-1/SEMLZ36LARE_0.html
| access-date = October 1, 2007
}}</ref> and for the three ion propulsion engines on NASA's [[Dawn Spacecraft]].<ref>{{cite web
| url         = http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/press_kits/dawn-launch.pdf
| title       = Dawn Launch: Mission to Vesta and Ceres
| publisher   = NASA
| access-date = October 1, 2007
}}</ref>

Chemically, the [[perxenate]] compounds are used as [[oxidizing agent]]s in [[analytical chemistry]]. [[Xenon difluoride]] is used as an etchant for [[silicon]], particularly in the production of [[microelectromechanical systems]] (MEMS).<ref>{{cite conference
| last      = Brazzle
| first     = J. D.
| author2   = Dokmeci, M. R.
| author3   = Mastrangelo, C. H.
| title     = Modeling and Characterization of Sacrificial Polysilicon Etching Using Vapor-Phase Xenon Difluoride
| work      = Proceedings 17th IEEE International Conference on Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
| pages     = 737–40
| publisher = IEEE
| date      = August 1, 1975
| location  = Maastricht, Netherlands
| isbn      = 978-0-7803-8265-7
}}</ref> The anticancer drug [[Fluorouracil|5-fluorouracil]] can be produced by reacting xenon difluoride with [[uracil]].<ref>{{cite web
| author      = Staff
| year        = 2007
| url         = https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/bartlettnoblegases.html
| title       = Neil Bartlett and the Reactive Noble Gases
| publisher   = American Chemical Society
| access-date = June 5, 2012
}}</ref> Xenon is also used in [[X-ray crystallography|protein crystallography]]. Applied at pressures from 0.5 to 5&nbsp;[[Pascal (unit)|MPa]] (5 to 50&nbsp;[[atmosphere (unit)|atm]]) to a protein crystal, xenon atoms bind in predominantly [[Hydrophobe|hydrophobic]] cavities, often creating a high-quality, isomorphous, heavy-atom derivative that can be used for solving the [[phase problem]].<ref>{{cite web
| author       = Staff
| date         = December 21, 2004
| url          = http://www.srs.ac.uk/px/facilities/xenon_notes_1.html
| archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20050316174727/http://www.srs.ac.uk/px/facilities/xenon_notes_1.html
| archive-date = March 16, 2005
| title        = Protein Crystallography: Xenon and Krypton Derivatives for Phasing
| publisher    = Daresbury Laboratory, PX
| access-date  = October 1, 2007
}}</ref><ref>{{cite book
| first        = Jan
| last         = Drenth
| author-link1 = Jan Drenth
| author2      = Mesters, Jeroen
| chapter      = The Solution of the Phase Problem by the Isomorphous Replacement Method
| pages        = [https://archive.org/details/principlesprotei00dren_066/page/n134 123]–171
| doi          = 10.1007/0-387-33746-6_7
| title        = Principles of Protein X-Ray Crystallography
| url          = https://archive.org/details/principlesprotei00dren_066
| url-access   = limited
| publisher    = [[Springer Science+Business Media|Springer]]
| location     = New York
| isbn         = 978-0-387-33334-2
| edition      = 3rd
| year         = 2007
}}</ref>
{{clear}}