Hyperfine-driven polarization effects in elastic muon scattering by atomic nuclei

Abstract

We present a theoretical study of polarization dynamics in the elastic scattering of muons and antimuons by high-magnetic-moment atomic nuclei, using ${}_{83}^{209}$Bi as a benchmark. The analysis tracks the evolution of (anti)muon polarization and its transfer to the nucleus, emphasizing nuclear-structure corrections. These corrections significantly alter both the differential cross sections and the polarization observables. Our results demonstrate that measuring scattered muon polarization serves as a sensitive probe for nuclear charge radii and magnetic dipole moments.

15 pages, 5 figures