So as the muon transfers some of its energy to the electron, the electron's smaller mass ensures that this is enough to boot the electron out of the atom, and we're left with a muonic helium ion.

Study of electron movement on helium may impact the future of quantum computing Date: January 25, 2017 Source: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University ...

And just like an electron, ... In the case of helium, however, sufficient cooling will create a superfluid, at which point its atoms will flow without losing energy to viscosity.

Understanding the ionization of proton-impacted helium Date: August 6, 2021 Source: Springer Summary: In a new study published in EPJ D, researchers have clearly identified particular areas where ...

More information: Leonhard Treiber et al, Observation of laser-assisted electron scattering in superfluid helium, Nature Communications (2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24479-w.

The muon is considered to be the electron's heavier brother; it resembles it, but it's around 200 times heavier. A muon is much more strongly bound to the atomic nucleus than an electron and encircles ...