Back to Search Start Over

Measurements of relativistic time dilatation for positive and negative muons in a circular orbit

Authors :
Bailey, J.
Borer, K.
Combley, F.
Drumm, H.
Krienen, F.
Lange, F.
Picasso, E.
von Ruden, W.
Farley, F. J. M.
Field, J. H.
Flegel, W.
Hattersley, P. M.
Source :
Nature; July 1977, Vol. 268 Issue: 5618 p301-305, 5p
Publication Year :
1977

Abstract

The lifetimes of both positive and negative relativistic (γ = 29.33) muons have been measured in the CERN Muon Storage Ring with the results τ+= 64.419 (58) µs, τ−= 64.368 (29) µs The value for positive muons is in accordance with special relativity and the measured lifetime at rest: the Einstein time dilation factor agrees with experiment with a fractional error of 2×10−3at 95% confidence. Assuming special relativity, the mean proper lifetime for μ−is found to be τ0−= 2.1948(10) µs the most accurate value reported to date. The agreement of this value with previously measured values of τ0+confirms CPT invariance for the weak interaction in muon decay.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00280836 and 14764687
Volume :
268
Issue :
5618
Database :
Supplemental Index
Journal :
Nature
Publication Type :
Periodical
Accession number :
ejs25226805
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1038/268301a0