µ+ Charge Exchange, Muonium Formation and Depolarizaton in Gases

摘要: The muon, like the electron, can be found in two charge states, µ+ and µ−, produced at ‘MeV’ energies 100% (longitudinally) polarized from π → µv decay.1 Most of this initial energy is lost ionization processes as muon slows down, during which no loss polarization occurs. At ‘keV’ energies, when velocity comparable to orbital electron velocities moderator, additional mechanisms begin dominate process. Negative muons are captured into highly excited “mesic” orbits because often referred “heavy electrons” (mµ = 206 me). They not considered further here. Positive suffer an entirely different fate. undergoes exchange with producing muonium atom (Mu µ+e−) returning free a series cycles, thought complete analogy those for protons. Subsequent thermalization ‘eV’ accomplished by elastic inelastic scattering processes. same features underlie Ore concept positronium (Ps) formation gases1, but matter acts much more light proton 1/9 mp) than heavy positron, theme emphasized throughout paper.