Muon Spectroscopy: An Introduction

Muons, radioactive particles produced in accelerators, have emerged as an important tool to study problems in condensed matter physics and chemistry. Beams of muons with all their spins polarized can be used to investigate a variety of static and dynamic effects and hence to deduce properties concerning magnetism, superconductivity, molecular or chemical dynamics and a large number of other phenomena. The technique was originally the preserve of a few specialists located in particle physics laboratories. Today it is used by scientists from a very wide range of scientific backgrounds and interests.

This modern, pedagogic introduction to muon spectroscopy is written with the beginner in the field in mind, but also aims to serve as a reference for more experienced researchers. The key principles are illustrated by numerous practical examples of the application of the technique to different areas of science and there are many worked examples and problems provided to test understanding. The book vividly demonstrates the power of the technique to extract important information in many different scientific contexts, all stemming, ultimately, from the exquisite magnetic sensitivity of the implanted muon spin.

Stephen J. Blundell, Professor of Physics, University of Oxford,Roberto De Renzi, Professor of Physics, University of Parma,Tom Lancaster, Professor of Physics, Durham University,Francis L. Pratt, STFC Fellow, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

Stephen J. Blundell is a Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford and a Professorial Fellow of Mansfield College, Oxford. He leads a research group which uses muon spectroscopy to solve problems in magnetism and superconductivity and he has been developing ab initio techniques to understand the nature of the muon site.


Roberto De Renzi is Professor of Physics at the University of Parma. He started developing muon spin spectrometers at CERN in 1980 and later took part in the design of the ISIS Muon Facility. He currently leads a iµ/iSR and NMR group dedicated to the experimental investigation of magnetic and superconducting compounds, and to the application of ab-initio techniques to assist the measurement of condensed matter properties based on the experimental detection of hyperfine fields.


Tom Lancaster was a research fellow at the University of Oxford before taking up a lectureship at Durham University in 2012, where he is currently Professor of Physics. His research group's interests include using muons to investigate low-dimensional, topological, and molecular magnetism, and the nature of the muon stopping state.


Francis L. Pratt is a senior scientist and STFC Fellow based in the muon group at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source. He has worked in muon spectroscopy for more than thirty years, using experimental facilities in the UK, Switzerland, and Japan. His research interests are focused on condensed matter physics using muons, with topics ranging from the study of quantum magnets and spin liquids to organic magnets and superconductors and the physics of molecular systems.