Generation of thermal muonium in vacuum

Journal Article · Mon Apr 07 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.56.1463· OSTI ID:5874097

Mills, Jr, A P; Imazato, J; Saitoh, S; Uedono, A; Kawashima, Y; Nagamine, K

We find that thermal-energy muonium atoms are emitted from a clean hot tungsten foil in which positive muons are stopping near the surface. The temperature dependence of the thermal muonium signal yields a surprisingly low activation energy of 0.66(4) eV, suggesting that we are observing the thermionic emission of muonium from the solid. The total muonium yield at 2300 K is about 0.04 per stopped muon of 23 MeV/c initial muon momentum. A number of new experiments should be possible using this unique source of thermal muonium in vacuum.

• Research Organization: ATandT Bell Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey 07974
• OSTI ID: 5874097
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 56:14; ISSN PRLTA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640303* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Positronium
Muonium
& Muonic & Mesic Atoms & Molecules
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ACTIVATION ENERGY
ANTILEPTONS
ANTIMATTER
ANTIPARTICLES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
EMISSION
ENERGY
FERMIONS
FOILS
HEAT FLUX
HEATING
LEPTONS
METALS
MUONIUM
MUONS
MUONS PLUS
STOPPING POWER
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMIONIC EMISSION
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
TUNGSTEN
VACUUM SYSTEMS
VERY HIGH TEMPERATURE