Muon Physics, Volume II: Weak Interactions deals with the weak interaction of muon and covers topics ranging from the elementary particle aspects of muon decay and muon capture, as well as the conventional two- and one-neutrino-field theories. The law of lepton conservation is also considered, along with semileptonic weak interactions in nuclei. This volume is comprised of two chapters and begins with a discussion on muon decay and muon capture, offering a theoretical interpretation of the elementary-particle aspects of the decay of a muon and the capture of a muon by a proton. The law of lepton conservation is examined in both conventional two- and one-neutrino-field theories. Semileptonic weak interactions in nuclei are also examined, paying particular attention to neutrino reactions, charged-lepton capture, and ß decay. The experimental results on weak interactions (low energies) are reviewed in relation to muon decay, rare and ultrarare muon decays, and muon capture. The final chapter is devoted to the interactions of muon neutrinos and limits the discussion to the high-energy type. This book is written primarily for physicists as well as students and researchers in physics.

In 1912 Victor Franz Hess made the revolutionary discovery that ionizing radiation is incident upon the Earth from outer space. He showed with ground-based and balloon-borne detectors that the intensity of the radiation did not change significantly between day and night. Consequently, the sun could not be regarded as the sources of this radiation and the question of its origin remained unanswered. Today, almost one hundred years later the question of the origin of the cosmic radiation still remains a mystery.Hess' discovery has given an enormous impetus to large areas of science, in particular to physics, and has played a major role in the formation of our current understanding of universal evolution. For example, the development of new fields of research such as elementary particle physics, modern astrophysics and cosmology are direct consequences of this discovery. Over the years the field of cosmic ray research has evolved in various directions: Firstly, the field of particle physics that was initiated by the discovery of many so-called elementary particles in the cosmic radiation. There is a strong trend from the accelerator physics community to reenter the field of cosmic ray physics, now under the name of astroparticle physics. Secondly, an important branch of cosmic ray physics that has rapidly evolved in conjunction with space exploration concerns the low energy portion of the cosmic ray spectrum. Thirdly, the branch of research that is concerned with the origin, acceleration and propagation of the cosmic radiation represents a great challenge for astrophysics, astronomy and cosmology. Presently very popular fields of research have rapidly evolved, such as high-energy gamma ray and neutrino astronomy. In addition, high-energy neutrino astronomy may soon initiate as a likely spin-off neutrino tomography of the Earth and thus open a unique new branch of geophysical research of the interior of the Earth. Finally, of considerable interest are the biological and medical aspects of the cosmic radiation because of it ionizing character and the inevitable irradiation to which we are exposed. This book is a reference manual for researchers and students of cosmic ray physics and associated fields and phenomena. It is not intended to be a tutorial. However, the book contains an adequate amount of background materials that its content should be useful to a broad community of scientists and professionals. The present book contains chiefly a data collection in compact form that covers the cosmic radiation in the vicinity of the Earth, in the Earth's atmosphere, at sea level and underground. Included are predominantly experimental but also theoretical data. In addition the book contains related data, definitions and important relations. The aim of this book is to offer the reader in a single volume a readily available comprehensive set of data that will save him the need of frequent time consuming literature searches.

Muon plays an important role in elementary particle, nuclear and atomic physics. Muon was discovered in 1936 in cosmic radiation. At present, it is very important in the framework of the Standard Model. With the discovery of a charm quantum number, muon and the accompanying muon neutrino play an important role in the quark-lepton model of elementary particles being combined in the second generation of the Standard Model. Muonic processes provide important information on the low energy limit of the weak interaction. This book describes the various aspects of muon physics, taking into account the most recent experiments conducted.

Muon Physics, Volume I: Electromagnetic Interactions deals with the electromagnetic interaction of muon as well as its static properties. The validity tests of quantum electrodynamics (QED) in the simple muonic system such as muonium, muonic hydrogen, and heavier muonic atoms are discussed. Possible tests of QED at much higher energy and large momentum transfers are also considered. An explanation of the unified gauge theories of electromagnetic and weak interactions in very simple and easily understandable terms is included as well. This volume is comprised of four chapters and begins with a historical overview of the muon, from its discovery and that of p and μ mesons to advances in understanding the vital roles played by the muon in almost every field of physics. The next chapter explores the electromagnetic properties of the muon and looks at experimental and theoretical developments concerning its static properties and electromagnetic interactions. The third chapter is concerned with the physics of the muonic atom and describes experimental methods for investigating the production of muonic atoms; charge distribution in spherical nuclei; the density of electrons in the atom; electric quadrupole and magnetic dipole interactions between the muon and the nucleus; and intensities of muonic transitions. The final chapter is devoted to cosmic-ray muons and emphasizes the character of very high-energy nucleon-nucleon interactions, together with the properties of the electromagnetic and weak interactions at very high energies. This book is written primarily for physicists as well as students and researchers in physics.

The radiative decay of the muon, positive-muon to position + neutrino + e-neutrino + mu'-antineutrino was measured using muons from the Columbia University Nevis Synchrocyclotron. The positron and gamma-ray decay products were observed at relative angles near 180 degrees, using scintillation counters and two 9 in. x 10 in. NaI crystals, which enabled simultaneous measurement of the positron and gamma energies. The pulses from the crystals were displayed on oscilloscopes and photographed, and the measured amplitudes of these pulses were calibrated using the positron spectrum of the nonradiative decay. The two-dimensional energy spectrum for positrons and gammas was obtained for about 900 events, after subtraction of background. This spectrum and the measured rate, obtained by normalizing to the nonradiative decay, were compared with theoretical predictions for the radiative decay. The results were in good agreement with the theory, within statistics, for the case of pure V-A coupling. (Author).

From Sunday evening, April 5, until Thursday afternoon, April 9, 1992,49 scientists from 10 countries met at the Centro Stefano Franscini on Monte VeritA overlooking Ascona, in the state of Ticino in Switzerland, for an international workshop on Muonic Atoms and Molecules. More than two-thirds of the participants presented their results in talks of 20 to 40 minutes' duration. In addition, Prof. Gabriele Torelli gave, under the patronage of the Ministro del Ambiente of the state of Ticino, Dr. Mario Camani, a lecture in Italian entitled "Un modo insolito di studiare Ie proprieta nucleari, atomiche e chimiche". The scientific program commenced on Monday morning with discussions centering on nuclear muon capture and nuclear fusion and fission, moving on to muonic atom spectroscopy in the afternoon. All of Tuesday was devoted to muon catalyzed fusion and muon transfer. On Wednesday morning, different aspects of hot muonic atoms were discussed, followed by informal gatherings in the afternoon and evening. On Thursday morning we took a look at the prospects for the TRIUMF and PSI meson factories, and new experimental methods. The conference was brought to a close in the afternoon with C.P. summarizing the events of the past days. The two organizers want to thank all participants for their contributions and for the lively discussions which often followed the different talks.