mu-meson Nuclear Physics.
(ˌmjuːˈmiːzɒn, -ˈmɛzɒn)
Also mu meson.
[f. mu + meson3.]
The original name for the muon. (Freq. written µ-meson.)
| [1947 Lattes, Occhialini & Powell in Nature 4 Oct. 455/1 There is, therefore, good evidence for the production of a single homogeneous group of secondary mesons... It is convenient to refer to this process..as the µ-decay. We represent the primary mesons by the symbol π, and the secondary by µ. Ibid. 455/2 (heading) Evidence of a difference in mass of π- and µ-mesons.] 1952 B. Rossi High-Energy Particles 566/1 Mu-mesons. 1953 Jrnl. Brit. Interplanetary Soc. XII. 203 The final remnants of cosmic-radiation which we observe at sea level are mainly electrons, mu-mesons, gamma rays and a proportionately small component of protons and neutrons. 1969 Times 2 Jan. 16/2 The measurements may indicate a means of distinguishing between mu mesons and electrons on grounds other than the difference of mass between the two particles. |
Hence mu-ˈmesic, -meˈsonic adjs. = muonic a.
| 1954 Physical Rev. XCIV. 1619/1 Mu-mesonic energy levels. 1957 Ann. Rev. Nuclear Sci. VII. 17 (heading) Mu mesonic X-rays. Ibid. 495 (Index), Mumesic atoms. 1964 W. E. Jones tr. A. A. Sokolov's Elementary Particles vi. 52 Since muons are similar to electrons in their properties.., they may form mu-mesic atoms, where the principal role is played by electrical forces, just as in the normal atom. 1969 New Scientist 9 Oct. 63/2 The quadrupole moments derived from mu-mesic X-rays can be used to check the reliability of standard calculations in atomic physics. |