tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26741618.post7703451191687922013..comments2024-02-28T02:22:20.886-08:00Comments on homunculus: Chemistry with muonsPhilip Ballhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986655706443117158noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26741618.post-23342141348591861702014-01-30T11:01:17.940-08:002014-01-30T11:01:17.940-08:00In continuation of my posts asking what the spectr...In continuation of my posts asking what the spectra would look like for a molecule that included muonic-argon, muonic helium, and/or muonic hydrogen (on 2014-01-14 and 2014-01-15).<br /><br />Is it reasonable to look for a combination of signals for which the composite pattern could uniquely identify muonic atoms in a molecule? In other words, what instrument or combination of instruments would you have to point at the Crab Nebula to detect a molecule based upon muonic atoms? <br /><br />For example regarding muonic hydrogen, in “Muonic hydrogen and the proton radius puzzle” (A. Antognini and F. Kottmann , 2010) <br />I see that they induced 2S → 2P transitions in the muonic atom by illuminating it with a short laser pulse tunable to a wavelength around λ ≈ 6 µm<br />They also describe the 2P → 1S de-excitation via emission of a 2 keV X-ray<br /><br />Perhaps naively, from that I infer that two of the signals in a composite fingerprint for muonic hydrogen might be <br /> Some amount of absorption of mid-infrared at wavelength around λ ≈ 6 µm <br /> Emission of 2 keV X-rays<br /><br />Mid-infrared<br />==========<br />The Herschel Space Observatory was sensitive to the far infrared and submillimetre wavebands (55–672 µm per Wikipedia) so it wasn't able to detect Mid-infrared: 30 to 120 THz (10 to 2.5 μm). Could an absorption at λ ≈ 6 µm be inferred by looking in far-infrared wavebands for a lack of constructive or destructive interference that is normally observed in other astronomical light sources (presumably lacking muonic atoms)? Or could the information be both detected and inferred in the Spitzer Telescope’s 3-180 µm imaging of the Crab Nebula? I’m not suggesting there would be an absorption line, but perhaps weaker-than-expected results near 6 µm. <br /><br />X-ray<br />==========<br />Chandra X-ray Observatory has imaged the Crab Nebula’s X-ray emissions. Would that data be useful in looking for muonic de-excitation emissions?<br /><br />What other ways might there be to tease out a pattern uniquely identifying molecules that are based upon muonic atoms? <br />If there is a way to do it, could this technique provide insight into how molecules can form with noble gases bonded to other elements? (e.g. the Argon Hydride detected in the Crab Nebula.) <br />Could there be other oddities? For example, could you make an analogue of NaCl by using muonic Magnesium (i.e. MuonicMg-Cl)? What would be the effects upon the ionic bond due to the tighter atomic radius of muonic Mg as compared to normal Na? <br />Is there any way to slow down the muonic decay (and therefore lengthen the existence of the muonic molecule) by bombarding the collision area with a stream of another type of particle? (Especially a particle that would be present in sufficient numbers in the Crab Nebula.)<br /><br />Out of curiosity I just Bing’d for “muonic magnesium” and got 1 result. From it I see that in Osaka they have detected muonic magnesium in an experiment with MuSIC at RCNP. Now if they’ll just steer the particles into a chlorine cloud… ;-) <br /><br />I’m sure the excellent Ball article (to which I’ve tacked these comments) draws some bright people. If any of you have a spare minute, I appreciate constructive feedback, suggested resources for further reading to support or dismantle my assumptions, etc.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />John Beach<br />just outside of Austin, Texas<br />January 30, 2014John C. Beachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01274631789064310164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26741618.post-47600318427419857452014-01-15T15:35:16.521-08:002014-01-15T15:35:16.521-08:00Also, what would the spectra look like for a hypot...Also, what would the spectra look like for a hypothetical <br /> muonic-argon muonic-helium compound?<br /><br />Since in the previous post I asked about muonic-argon hydride, it occurred to me that your article discussed muonic-helium being a hydrogen analogue. Could a supernova create muonic argon, muonic helium, and provide an environment conducive to the formation of <br /> muonicArgon-muonicHelium ?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />John BeachJohn C. Beachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01274631789064310164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26741618.post-29245207520330377932014-01-14T13:44:03.191-08:002014-01-14T13:44:03.191-08:00During the unique high-energy environment of a sup...During the unique high-energy environment of a supernova, could a muon displace or otherwise substitute for one of the electrons in Argon's outer shell, and could this explain the Herschel Space Observatory's detection of Argon Hydride in the Crab Nebula? What would the spectra look like for a hypothetical muonic-Argon hydride?<br /><br />This occurred to me after reading your mention of the research suggesting muonic helium bonds with hydrogen.<br /><br />Reference: Science 13 December 2013, "Detection of a Noble Gas Molecular Ion, 36ArH+, in the Crab Nebula"<br /><br />Thanks for any insights,<br /><br />John Beach<br />just outside of Austin, TexasJohn C. Beachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01274631789064310164noreply@blogger.com