Introduction to µSR

Introduction to µSR

...wherein the basics of the field are explained in simple terms to the newcomer.

This chapter outlines the history of µSR, the basic muon physics that makes it possible, the principal µSR techniques and a few of their main areas of application today.

In order for any experimental method to flourish, there must be a sort of "impedance matching" between the availability of necessary resources (both material and human), the development and deployment of sophisticated techniques and robust interpretive models, the emergence of timely and exciting applications, the growth of an enthusiastic user community and the initiative of expert practicioners. Of course, apart from faith in "progress" generally, there is no obvious reason why one should desire that a given experimental method should flourish -- unless one happens to be one of its practicioners, in which case there is no doubt. Practicioners of muon spin rotation/relaxation/resonance (µSR) are naturally pleased that µSR has become an indispensible experimental tool of condensed matter physics, chemistry and other material science as well as atomic, subatomic and other fundamental physics disciplines.