[jake223]

Have any of you heard of liquid xenon?

http://www.smart-elements.com/?arg=detail&element=Xe&newitems=&limit=1&art=01963&pn=&cat=&view=gl&tr=12&out=1&lid=15&PHPSESSID=8b88f09dd404d9997ecfb2c8b6db928e#A

This site has it for sale for 254 euro about 400$ so very expensive
Apparently the pressure inside the quartz ampoule is over 900psi and above 16C its a gas below that temp it turns into a liquid

1. How did they make this element with the pressure so high? Did it require special equipment? Or can i buy some xenon myself and liquify with liquid nitrogen and seal in ampoule?

2. Also I've been reading about liquid Xe being used for dark matter research LUX large underground xenon but i cant seem to find out why they use xenon and not some other material.
Is it because of some special property supercritical fluids have ?

3. For that price do you think it's worth buying or will it be worthless in a few years? Any higher educated scientist please share your opinion

[curiouscat]

900 psi in not a terribly high pressure for today's industrial grade equipment. Special equipment, yet, but nothing super fancy.

As an investment, I can think of many better things than an ampule of Xe.

[billnotgatez]

Many avid chemistry hobbyist have element collections.

[curiouscat]

Many avid chemistry hobbyist have element collections.

I'm fine with collectors.

But if you look at it as an investment you might be disappointed.

[Enthalpy]

Why xenon to detect Wimps:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xenon#Other

From Air Liquide, the pressure graph
http://encyclopedia.airliquide.com/Encyclopedia.asp?GasID=71
http://encyclopedia.airliquide.com/images_encyclopedie/VaporPressureGraph/Xenon_Vapor_Pressure.GIF
shows the critical point around +16°C and 60bar, so when the temperature exceeds +16°C, the pressure will rise well over 60bar, which the ampoule must withstand. Not terribly difficult.

At 77K xenon is solid (mp -112°C) hence easily poured in the ampoule, but
- The ampoule must withstand temperature differences in addition to pressure.
- You must pre-cool the ampoule! Better condense the xenon within the cold ampoule. Remember xenon's latent heats are tiny.
- How will you seal the ampoule? O-ring? Dont' touch cold solids with your fingers neither!