A PROPOSED STUDY ON TRAPPING OF POSITIVE MUON IN DEFECTS IN THE VICINITY OF METAL-SURFACES

We aim to reveal the dynamics of positive muon (mu(+)) trapping in the vicinity of metal surfaces through the precise measurement of trappin g rates during muon thermal diffusion in metals. This trapping strongl y dominates the time evolution of the muonium atom (Mu: mu(+) e(-)) em itted to vacuum from the surface, since it is the positive muon reachi ng the surface within its lifetime (similar to 2.2 mu s) that contribu tes to Mu emission in vacuum. In order to pursue the trapping rate on the order of approximate to 10(-1) mu s(-1), statistics of approximate to 10(-7) Mu atoms in vacuum would be needed, and use of the UT-MSL/K EK (Meson Science Laboratory, University of Tokyo, located at National Laboratory for High Energy Physics, Japan) and/or RIKEN-RAL (RIKEN-Ru therford Appleton Laboratory muon facility, UK) would facilitate obtai ning these statistics within a reasonable time. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scie nce B.V.