Proposed μ→eγ Search with Polarized Muons

A search for the lepton flavor violating μ+→e+γ decay using polarized muons is proposed. By measuring the angular distribution of e+s with respect to the muon spin direction, in particular antiparallel e+s, the serious physics background from μ+→e+ννγ as well as accidental background from normal muon decay accompanied by a high-energy photon can be suppressed for μ+→e+γ with right-handed e+. In addition to the enhancement of the sensitivity, the angular distribution would discriminate among different extensions to the standard model, once the signal is observed. copyright 1996 The American Physical Society