Muonium atoms and intraspur processes in water

Journal Article · Tue May 15 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.437275· OSTI ID:6079721

Walker, D C; Jean, Y C; Fleming, D G

Since muonium atoms come into existence as a result of stopping energetic positive muons, it has been suggested that intraspur reactions (primarily with thermalized electrons or OH radicals, in water) are responsible for: (i) muonium formation, (ii) direct generation of a fraction of the muons in diamagnetic molecules, and (iii) the ''missing'' muon polarization. These postulates are examined in detail by adding scavengers which can preclude intraspur reactions without reacting with muonium. The results show convincingly that intraspur processes are insignificant in (i) and (ii). Furthermore, they could only be important in (iii) if a spin-exchange process occurred with a frequency which was much greater than the ordinary diffusion-limited encounter frequency. Rather than this ''spur model'', the data obtained are consistent with the ''hot model'', whereby hot muonium atoms form beyond the spurs of the muon track.

• Research Organization: TRIUMF and Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1WS, Canada
• OSTI ID: 6079721
• Journal Information: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 70:10; ISSN JCPSA
• 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
ATOMS
INTERACTIONS
MUONIUM
PARTICLE INTERACTIONS
PARTICLE PRODUCTION
POLARIZATION