What Is Krypton Gas Used For?

Krypton gas is mainly used for lighting, including halogen bulbs and fluorescent lights. It is also added to double-glazed windows for increased insulation, and its isotopes can be used to diagnose various diseases.

This guide explores the most common use cases of krypton gas across industries. 

Krypton for Lighting Applications

Krypton is commonly used in specialized lighting applications where high performance and longevity matter. The gas produces an exceptionally bright white light when electrically charged, which makes it perfect for high-intensity lighting systems.

Krypton gas has applications in specialized aviation lighting systems, including certain airport illumination needs. Research has explored krypton-85 (a radioactive isotope) specifically for airfield lighting applications. While krypton is not the only noble gas used in runway lighting, its properties make it suitable for specific high-performance aviation lighting requirements where brightness and reliability are crucial.

Krypton for Cutting-Edge Laser Solutions

Krypton-based lasers deliver precise, concentrated beams – this is useful for applications like laser light shows and industrial cutting tools.

A Krypton Fluoride (KrF) laser can be used for various purposes, such as:

• Semiconductor production
• Photolithography
• Laser surgery

Krypton is Very Useful in Window Manufacturing

Krypton gas, which is about three times heavier than air, serves as an exceptional insulating medium in modern window manufacturing. When sealed between glass panes in double or triple-glazed windows, krypton can provide up to 40% better thermal insulation than standard air-filled windows.

The gas’s properties make it particularly valuable in extreme climates where temperature control is critical. Buildings featuring krypton-filled windows typically experience notable reductions in heating and cooling costs year-round.

Medical Imaging and Diagnostics

Krypton uses are significantly expanded by its isotopes, which have become valuable tools for diagnostic procedures and research.

For example, krypton-85 is essential for studying blood flow patterns and lung function.

Krypton isotopes are used in various medical imaging applications, primarily for studying pulmonary function and blood flow. This isotope helps healthcare providers make more precise diagnoses and treatment decisions.

Finally, some isotopes can be used for highly specialized medical processes. For example, krypton-81m has been used instead of xenon-133 to evaluate regional lung ventilation in patients. 

Semiconductor Manufacturing

In the semiconductor industry, krypton is sometimes used in the production of 3D NAND flash memory used for solid-state drives (SSDs).

Specifically, manufacturers use krypton in plasma etching processes to improve efficiency and precision in semiconductor fabrication. This is a key use case due to the ever-increasing demand for more streamlined and higher-performance electronic devices. 

Some manufacturers choose krypton over xenon because it is less expensive – while still offering comparable performance in certain manufacturing applications.

What Is Krypton Used for in Research and Development?

Krypton gas is used by scientists and researchers in electromagnetic calorimeter experiments and nuclear fusion research.

These uses aren’t new – the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory began developing electron beam-pumped KrF lasers for inertial fusion power as early as the 1970s.