Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy (LMU)
The Laboratory for Muon Spin Spectroscopy (LMU) at the Paul Scherrer Institute is responsible for the scientific exploitation, operation and development of muon-spin spectroscopy instruments at the Swiss Muon Source (SµS). The team of about 20 senior scientists, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students is involved on diverse research projects ranging from modern topics in condensed matter physics and materials science to energy research and chemistry.
The technique "µSR" - Muon Spin Rotation, Relaxation or Resonance: A research tool using muons as sensitive local magnetic probes in matter.
learn more about the technique
- Worldwide unique instruments:
The Low-Energy Muon (LEM) beam and µSR Spectrometer for the study of thin films, layers and surfaces;
the high-field instrument (HAL-9500) equipped with specially designed detectors to perform studies in fields up to 9.5 Tesla and at very low temperatures;
and the combination of very-high pressures (up to 2.8 GPa) combined with sub-Kelvin temperatures (GPD).
- The 1st call (I/2024) for the year 2024 is closed.
- Note: Allocation period: June 2024 - September 2024.
Lab News & Scientific Highlights
Weyl spin-momentum locking in a chiral topological semimetal
Spin–orbit coupling in noncentrosymmetric crystals leads to spin–momentum locking – a directional relationship between an electron’s spin angular momentum and its linear momentum. Isotropic orthogonal Rashba spin–momentum locking has been studied for decades, while its counterpart, isotropic parallel Weyl spin–momentum locking has remained elusive in experiments. Theory predicts ...
Introduction to Muon Spin Spectroscopy
Alex Amato and Elvezio Morenzoni (both NUM) have published a new textbook entitled 'Introduction to Muon Spin Spectroscopy: Applications to Solid State and Material Sciences'. The book is ideal for a first course in muon spin spectroscopy (µSR), comes enriched with exercises and solutions to master the subject and includes practical examples to quantify key experimental parameters.
Phonon promoted charge density wave in topological kagome metal ScV6Sn6
Charge density wave (CDW) orders in vanadium-based kagome metals have recently received tremendous attention, yet their origin remains a topic of debate. The discovery of ScV6Sn6, a bilayer kagome metal featuring an intriguing √3 × √3 × √3 CDW order, offers a novel platform to explore the underlying mechanism behind the unconventional CDW. Here we combine ...