The \( \mu \) SR Technique

The third chapter introduces the principles of the \(\mu \) SR technique. First, its main features that distinguish it from other so-called solid-state nuclear techniques (NMR, neutron scattering, EPR) are described in detail. We explain how information about different physical properties is obtained in a \(\mu \) SR experiment by measuring the time evolution of the spin polarization of an ensemble of muons implanted in the in the material under study. We show how this is done by detecting the anisotropically emitted decay positrons. The main components of a \(\mu \) SR spectrometer are described. Data acquisition and the different experimental setups used and their purpose (so-called zero magnetic field, transverse field and longitudinal field) are discussed. The main differences between experiments with continuous and pulsed muon beam experiments are presented.