Muon Decay Asymmetry

Angular distribution of the e⁺ from µ⁺ decay: the asymmetry (anisotropy) of the distribution is 100% for the highest e⁺ energy (52.83 MeV) and zero (i.e., an isotropic distribution) for half as big an e⁺ energy. For zero e⁺ energy (not shown) the asymmetry is negative.

Solid lines: energy spectrum E(x)/2 (e⁺ energy = x times 52.83 MeV) from normal µ⁺ decay and x-dependence of µ⁺ decay asymmetry a(x) [degree of correlation between e⁺ momentum and µ⁺ spin direction]. Dashed line: weighted µ⁺ decay asymmetry spectrum, the product of E(x)/2 and a(x).

Jess H. Brewer

Last modified: Fri Nov 28 17:53:24 EST