Muon spin resonance (μSR) refers to a technique used in condensed matter physics and materials science to study the properties of materials on a microscopic scale. Muons are elementary particles similar to electrons but with greater mass. When muons are implanted into a material, they exhibit a spinning motion known as spin. Muon spin resonance exploits this spin property to investigate various physical phenomena.
In μSR, a high-intensity beam of muons is directed onto a sample, and the behavior of the muon spins in the material is monitored using specialized detectors. By measuring the precession or oscillation of the muon spins, valuable information about the local magnetic fields and their fluctuations within the material can be obtained. This provides insights into the magnetic properties, such as the presence of superconductivity, magnetism, or other interesting states.
This technique offers several advantages over other magnetic resonance techniques, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or electron spin resonance (ESR), due to the unique properties of muons. For instance, μSR is capable of investigating a wide range of materials, including semiconductors, metals, insulators, and even fluids. Additionally, it can probe very short time scales, making it ideal for studying fast dynamic processes.
Muon spin resonance has proven valuable in elucidating the behavior of exotic materials, quantum spin systems, complex magnetic structures, and high-temperature superconductors. It has become an indispensable tool for scientists seeking a deeper understanding of the fundamental interactions between atoms and electrons in various condensed matter systems.
