Precision measurement of the muonium hyperfine interaction in mesoporous silica and aerogel

Abstract

Precise measurements of the muonium (Mu) hyperfine interaction versus temperature are reported in a silica aerogel and mesoporous silica SBA-15 using a fast-timing spectrometer to detect the precession frequencies of Mu in a magnetic field of 1.14 T. The observed signals are a sensitive monitor of dynamics associated with the binding and unbinding of Mu from the silica surface. Above 100 K the Mu is effectively off the surface. Significant differences are observed in the way the lines show motional narrowing, and are attributed to differences in sample morphology. At room temperature the effective mean free path appears longer in SBA-15, suggesting it may offer advantages over aerogel as a source of Mu in vacuum.