A muonium particle is an exotic atom made up of a positive muon and an electron, and is given the symbol Mu or μ+e–. During the muon's 2 microsecond lifetime, muonium can enter into compounds such as muonium chloride (MuCl) or sodium muonide (NaMu). [1]
Due to the mass difference between the muon and the electron, muonium is more similar to atomic hydrogen than positronium. Muonium has been used to produce muon-catalyzed fusion in which muons shield the positive charge of the nuclei so that the nuclei can fuse.
See also
References
- "Names for muonium and hydrogen atoms and their ions". (PDF)
Last updated: 05-24-2005 14:17:38