Muons and Nuclei, or the Adventures of the Muon in the Nucleus

Abstract

The review describes the results of experiments based on quite different and independent approaches to solving the problem of interaction of muons with nuclei. Different paths of muon capture by nuclei and subsequent paths of secondary processes are considered: radiationless capture followed by nuclear fission, excitation of the nucleus with the escape of particles (neutrons and charged ones), and excitation of nuclear levels with the escape of gamma quanta. The experimental data require refinement, in particular with respect to the spectroscopy of fission fragments, the spectroscopy of secondary particles, and statistical accuracy. All of the experimental methods described rely on interpretation within theoretical models. Improvement in each of these parts will mutually stimulate refinements or new paths in subsequent research. The article is addressed to young aspiring physicists interested in muon physics and looking for new phenomena of interactions of elementary particles with nuclei and atoms, and solutions to emerging problems using modern experimental methods.