Discover
/
Article

How does the muon differ from the electron?

JUL 01, 1971
Experiments at SLAC on muon‐proton deep inelastic scattering are part of the continuing search for differences between the muon and the electron.
Martin L. Perl

One of the great puzzles of elementary‐particle physics is how to understand the relationships between the muon and the electron. The set of properties that the muon and electron possess in common are collectively described by the phrase “muon–electron universality.” This set is large and comprises most of the properties of the muon and electron; see Table 1, page 44.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. S. J. Brodsky in Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Electron and Photon Interactions at High Energy, Daresbury Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Daresbury, UK (1969);
    S. J. Brodsky, S. D. Drell, Ann. Rev. Nucl. Sci. 20, 147 (1970). (These articles include reviews of quantum electrodynamic tests of muon‐electron universality.)https://doi.org/ARNUA8

  2. 2. G. Feinberg, L. M. Lederman, Ann. Rev. Nucl. Sci. 13, 431 (1963); https://doi.org/ARNUA8
    T. D. Lee, C. S. Wu, Ann. Rev. Nucl. Sci. 15, 381 (1965). (These articles include reviews of the weak‐interaction tests of muon–electron universality.)https://doi.org/ARNUA8

  3. 3. E. Picasso in High‐Energy Physics and Nuclear Structure 1970, Plenum, New York (1970). (This article also reviews recent tests for muon–electron universality.)

  4. 4. A. Barna and others, Phys. Rev. 173, 1391 (1968). (Contains references to other lepton searches and to calculations on lepton production and decay processes.)https://doi.org/PHRVAO

  5. 5. V. Alles‐Borelli and others, Letters Nuovo Cimento 4, 1156 (1970);
    J. J. Sakurai, Letters Nuovo Cimento, 1, 624 (1971).

  6. 6. C. S. Wu, L. Wilets, Ann. Rev. Nucl. Sci. 19, 527 (1969).

  7. 7. J. C. Wesley, A. Rich, Phys. Rev. Lett. 24, 1320 (1970).https://doi.org/PRLTAO

  8. 8. L. Camilleri and others, Phys. Rev. Lett. 23, 153 (1969).https://doi.org/PRLTAO

  9. 9. W. T. Toner and others, Report No. SLAC‐PUB‐868, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center; to be submitted to Phys. Rev. Lett.

  10. 10. L. N. Hand, Phys. Rev. 129, 1834 (1963).https://doi.org/PHRVAO

  11. 11. E. D. Bloom and others, Phys. Rev. Lett. 23, 930 (1969); https://doi.org/PRLTAO
    R. E. Taylor in Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Electron and Photon Interactions at High Energy, Daresbury Nuclear Physics Laboratory, Daresbury, UK (1969).

  12. 12. For the application of this equation to muon‐proton elastic scattering see: D. Kiang, S. H. Ng, Phys. Rev. D2, 1964 (1970) and the references contained in that paper.

  13. 13. D. H. Perkins in Proceedings of CERN Topical Conference on Weak Interactions, CERN, Geneva (1969).

More about the authors

Martin L. Perl, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center, Stanford University.

Related content
/
Article
The ability to communicate a key message clearly and concisely to a nonspecialized audience is a critical skill to develop at all educational levels.
/
Article
With strong magnetic fields and intense lasers or pulsed electric currents, physicists can reconstruct the conditions inside astrophysical objects and create nuclear-fusion reactors.
/
Article
A crude device for quantification shows how diverse aspects of distantly related organisms reflect the interplay of the same underlying physical factors.
/
Article
Events held around the world have recognized the past, present, and future of quantum science and technology.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1971_07.jpeg

Volume 24, Number 7

Get PT in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.