This centre is one of only a few in the world that uses particle beams of muons, a form of antimatter, and rare isotopes to characterize the electronic and magnetic properties of advanced quantum materials under a range of conditions. Here, experiments are performed at temperatures less than 1 degree kelvin or -272 celsius using pure positively charged muons where all the particles are spinning on their axes in parallel.

Muons behave like electrons but are 207 times heavier. They are produced in the disintegration of pions. They live for about 2-millionths of a second and die by emitting a positron in the direction of their spin. As researchers develop new materials and new applications for existing materials, it’s often necessary to understand the materials’ characteristics at the atomic-level. 

Each year more than 150 Canadian and international scientists bring their material samples to CMMS for testing, most notably in areas of magnetic materials, and high temperature superconductors research.