Generation of very slow polarized positive muons

E. Morenzoni; F. Kottmann; D. Maden; B. Matthias; M. Meyberg; Th. Prokscha; Th. Wutzke; U. Zimmermann

doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.2793

Generation of very slow polarized positive muons

E. Morenzoni, F. Kottmann, D. Maden, B. Matthias, M. Meyberg, Th. Prokscha, Th. Wutzke, and U. Zimmermann

Phys. Rev. Lett. 72, 2793 – Published 25 April 1994

Abstract

We have measured the polarization of very slow positive muons (kinetic energy ∼10 eV) obtained from the moderation of a 100% polarized surface muon beam in rare gas solid layers. We find that the muons nearly retain their initial polarization, indicating that the moderation process is very fast compared to depolarizing mechanisms. This result opens the possibility of producing beams of very low energy polarized muons, which have a wide range of possible applications, e.g., as a magnetic microprobe of surfaces and thin films.

Received 17 January 1994

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.72.2793

Authors & Affiliations

E. Morenzoni, F. Kottmann, D. Maden, B. Matthias, M. Meyberg, Th. Prokscha, Th. Wutzke, and U. Zimmermann

Paul Scherrer Institute, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
Physics Institute, University of Heidelberg Philosophenweg 12, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Institute for Intermediate Energy Physics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland
Institute for High Energy Physics, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, CH-5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland