Search for right-handed currents in muon decay

We report new limits on right-handed currents, based on precise measurements of the endpoint of the e⁺ spectrum from ⁺ decay. Highly polarized ⁺ from the TRIUMF surface beam were stopped in pure metal foils within either an 1.1-T spin-holding logitudinal field, or a 70-gauss spin-precessing transverse field. Decay e⁺ emitted within 200 mrad of the beam direction were momentum-analyzed to ±0.2%. For the spin-held data, decay via (V-A) currents requires the e⁺ rate to approach zero in the beam direction at the endpoint. Measurement of this rate sets the 90%-confidence limits P />0.9959 and M(W_R)>380 GeV, where W_R is the possible right-handed gauge boson. For the spin-precessed data we independently determine a 90% confidence limit P />0.9918.We are indebted to the entire TRIUMF management and staff for their splendid support of this experiment. In its early stages we benefited from discussion with J. Brewer, R. Cahn, K. Crowe, and W. Wenzel. Rapid commissioning of the polarimeter was made possible by the superb efforts of the LBL support staff. This research was supported in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, Division of Basic Energy Sciences, Office of Energy Research under contracts W-7405-ENG-48 and AC02-ER02289.