Xe129

Xenon-129, denoted as Xe-129 or 129Xe, is a stable isotope of the element xenon. It is one of the nine stable isotopes of xenon, meaning it does not undergo radioactive decay. Xenon-129 is the most abundant naturally occurring isotope of xenon, making up approximately 26.4% of the Earth's atmospheric xenon.

This isotope has a nuclear spin of 1/2, which makes it amenable to nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This property has led to its use in various scientific applications, particularly in hyperpolarized xenon NMR. Hyperpolarization techniques can significantly enhance the NMR signal of 129Xe, allowing for its detection at very low concentrations.

Applications of hyperpolarized 129Xe include medical imaging, such as lung imaging, where it can provide detailed information about lung structure and function without the use of ionizing radiation. It is also used in materials science to probe the internal structure of porous materials and in fundamental physics research. The relative abundance and distinct spectroscopic properties of 129Xe make it a valuable tool in scientific investigation.