Extraction of the Michel Parameters from Muon Decay by a Maximum Likelihood Method

摘要

A maximum likelihood method was developed for extracting the Michel parameters, which describe the decay spectrum of stopped polarized muons. The method was applied successfully in a Monte Carlo simulation of apparatus. A complete error matrix for the set of Michel parameters was also obtained. In an experiment of 10 exp 8 muon decays the statistical errors can be reduced by more than an order of magnitude over the currently accepted limits on the Michel parameters. 5 tables. (ERA citation 05:014465)