Theory of muon spin depolarization in crystalline phases of 3He

As is obvious from the energetic point of view, positive muons must form the molecular ion ( He_2μ)⁺ in condensed phases of helium. A theory of positive muon spin depolarization in crystalline phase of ³He in this model is devised. The theory explains experimental results. It is shown that the abrupt temperature dependence of the muon spin depolarization rate at T < 2 K which is observed in experiments is explained by spin–phonon interaction. This interaction mechanism arises due to a modulation of the exchange interaction between host atoms of the ³He‐lattice. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.