McGill.CA / Science / Department of Physics

Precision Muon Decay at TRIUMF

Prof N. Rodning

University of Alberta

The weak interaction fits into the Standard Model through the exchange of the W and Z bosons, which couple to the leptons through a left-handed parity non-conserving interaction. Muon decay is an example of a purely weak interaction, expected to involve only the W and Z bosons. The decay distribution can be described by some simple algebra involving four parameters refered to as the Michel parameters, which are simply combinations of more fundamental coupling constants.

An experiment is under preparation at TRIUMF, in Vancouver, in which the muon decay distribution will be measured to one part in 10,000, for the purpose of determining the Michel parameters and the underlying coupling constants. Deviations from the Standard Model values could be interpreted in terms of additional exchange particles.

Monday, November 9th 1998, 15:30
Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, room 305