Short-lived elementary particles found in cosmic radiation or produced from nuclear disintegration. Their mass is between that of protons and electrons and they can be negative, positive, or neutral. pi-Mesons (pions) are heavier than mu-mesons (muons) and are proposed for cancer radiotherapy because their capture and disintegration by matter produces powerful, but short-lived, secondary radiation.

Annotation

elementary particles; IM

elementární částice, IM

DUI

D008651 MeSH Browser

CUI

M0013479

Previous indexing

Elementary Particles (1975-1984); Nuclear Physics (1966-1974)

History note

91(85); was see under ELEMENTARY PARTICLES 1985-90, was see ELEMENTARY PARTICLES 1975-84; MUONS was see ELEMENTARY PARTICLES 1975-84

Online note

use ELEMENTARY PARTICLES to search MESONS & MUONS 1975-84

Public note

91; was see under ELEMENTARY PARTICLES 1985-90, was see ELEMENTARY PARTICLES 1975-84; MUONS was see ELEMENTARY PARTICLES 1975-84