Eur. Phys. J. A 13, 197-202 (2002)

Challenge towards muonic atom formation with unstable nuclei

P. Strasser¹, T. Matsuzaki¹ and K. Nagamine<sup>1, 2

1</sup>  Muon Science Laboratory, Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN), 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
²  Meson Science Laboratory, Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan

(Received: 1 May 2001)

Abstract
X-ray spectroscopy of muonic atoms is an important tool to obtain information on the nuclear charge distribution of nuclei. It has been successfully used for many years to study stable isotopes in condensed or gaseous states. A new method has been proposed to extend muonic atom X-ray spectroscopy to the use of radioactive isotope beams to form muonic atoms with unstable nuclei. This new method allows studies of the nuclear properties and nuclear sizes of unstable atoms by means of the muonic X-ray method at facilities where both negative muon and radioactive nuclear beams would be available. Progress of a feasibility study at RIKEN-RAL muon facility is also reported.

PACS
36.10.Dr - Positronium, muonium, muonic atoms and molecules.
29.30.Kv - X- and gamma-ray spectroscopy.
61.72.Ww - Doping and impurity implantation in other materials.

© Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag 2002