Hyperfine coupling constants of muonium in sub and supercritical water

Abstract

Muonium, like the hydrogen atom, is a hydrophobic solute in water under standard conditions. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the free atom exists in a transient clathrate-like cage of hydrogen-bonded water molecules. The hyperfine constants of Mu and H are very close to their vacuum values, supporting the picture of an atom “rattling” around in a hole in the liquid. Muonium has now been studied in water over a wide range of temperatures and pressures, from standard conditions to over 400°C and 400 bar (the critical point is at 374°C, 221 bar). Drastic changes occur in the properties of water over this range of conditions, so large changes in the muonium hyperfine constant might well be expected. Surprisingly, the changes are small. The hyperfine coupling constant goes through a minimum in the subcritical region, and then increases toward the vacuum value under supercritical conditions.