Surface interactions of muonium in oxide powders at low temperatures

Journal Article · Wed Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1982 · Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.26.2432· OSTI ID:6864553

Kiefl, R F; Warren, J B; Oram, C J; Marshall, G M; Brewer, J H; Harshman, D R; Clawson, C W

Measurements of muonium (..mu../sup +/e/sup -/) spin relaxation in finely powdered samples of Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/, MgO, and SiO/sub 2/ indicate that the muonium atoms escape the powder grains with a high efficiency, regardless of the ambient temperature of the powder. In Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ powder in a pure He (or Ne) atmosphere at low temperature (T<30 K), the muonium spin relaxation rate is proportional to the fraction of the powder surface area not covered by adsorbed He (Ne); it is postulated that a He (Ne) film on the powder surfaces protects muonium against depolarizing collisions with the bare Al/sub 2/O/sub 3/ surfaces.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, University of British Columbia, and TRIUMF Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 2A6, Canada
• OSTI ID: 6864553
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter; (United States) Vol. 26:5; ISSN PRBMD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640303* -- Atomic
Molecular &amp; Chemical Physics-- Positronium
Muonium
&amp; Muonic &amp; Mesic Atoms &amp; Molecules
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ALKALINE EARTH METAL COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
CHALCOGENIDES
COLLISIONS
MAGNESIUM COMPOUNDS
MAGNESIUM OXIDES
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MUONIUM
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE PROPERTIES
POWDERS
RELAXATION
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SILICON OXIDES
SPIN
SURFACES
ULTRALOW TEMPERATURE
VERY LOW TEMPERATURE