Ultra-slow muon generation by laser resonant ionization towards the 21st century

At KEK-MSL we have been pursuing the Ultra-Slow Muon Project, in which ther mal muonium atoms (designated as Mu; consisting of a mu (+) and an e(-)) ar e generated from the surface of a hot tungsten foil, placed at the primary 500 MeV proton beam line, and ionized by intense lasers synchronized with t he emission of Mu. In the 21st century, it will be extended to the intense slow-muon facility of M-arena at the JOINT PROJECT of KEK and JAERI, where 3 GeV, 333 muA of proton beam is available, for the surface science, atomic physics, etc. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.