First muon acceleration using a radio frequency accelerator

TL;DR

This paper reports the first successful acceleration of muons using a radio frequency accelerator, demonstrating a new method for muon manipulation with potential applications in physics and microscopy.

Contribution

It introduces the first experimental demonstration of muon acceleration in a radio frequency linac, utilizing negative muonium atoms generated from positive muons.

Findings

Muons were accelerated to 89 keV in a radio frequency quadrupole linac.

Negative muonium atoms were generated and identified via momentum and time-of-flight measurements.

The work opens new possibilities for muon-based applications in science and technology.

Abstract

Muons have been accelerated by using a radio frequency accelerator for the first time. Negative muonium atoms (Mu$^-$), which are bound states of positive muons ($\mu^+$) and two electrons, are generated from $\mu^+$'s through the electron capture process in an aluminum degrader. The generated Mu$^-$'s are initially electrostatically accelerated and injected into a radio frequency quadrupole linac (RFQ). In the RFQ, the Mu$^-$'s are accelerated to 89 keV. The accelerated Mu$^-$'s are identified by momentum measurement and time of flight. This compact muon linac opens the door to various muon accelerator applications including particle physics measurements and the construction of a transmission muon microscope.