AboutMuoniverse
Researchers across many disciplines use muons, but they often work separately despite sharing challenges and tools. By combining our expertise, we will advance novel technologies, fundamental discoveries and practical applications, and accelerate the transfer of scientific findings into society.
Muoniverse is one of six new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCRs) launched in 2026. Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation for up to twelve years, NCCRs are Switzerland’s flagship instrument for long-term, large-scale research collaboration.
Why Muons?
Muons are powerful probes for studying matter and materials. They are elementary particles closely related to electrons but around 200 times heavier. Their unique combination of mass, spin and microsecond lifetime enables measurements that are difficult or impossible with other techniques. These properties make muons both objects of study in their own right and sensitive probes of matter. Muons form naturally in the atmosphere and continuously reach Earth’s surface, which enables applications such as the radiography of large structures. However, most muon science relies on accelerator-based beams.
Muon Beams Made in Switzerland
Muoniverse is built around the world-leading muon facility at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), whose intense, precisely controlled beams underpin research from particle physics and materials science to engineering and cultural heritage. From 2029, a major upgrade will deliver about 100 times more muons to some experimental areas, opening new opportunities in fundamental research and applications.
Our Approach
Muoniverse connects technology development, fundamental research and real-world applications in a single research program.
Technology
We create the technological basis for advancing muon science: new beams, detectors and tools that make it possible to measure what could not be measured before.
Fundamental
We use muons to understand nature, from the smallest building blocks of matter to the quantum behavior of materials.
Application
We turn discoveries into societal benefit by developing muon techniques into tools for energy, heritage and environmental research.
Competence Platforms
Shared platforms for training, innovation and outreach link the research projects and connect the community with future researchers, cultural institutions, industry and the public.
Network
Researchers, institutions and infrastructure, connected across Switzerland
The Muoniverse network currently comprises around 50 research teams at 14 institutions, including PSI and the University of Zurich as host institutions. Muoniverse researchers have access to diverse infrastructure, from the muon beamlines at PSI to detector and high-pressure laboratories, quantum-materials facilities and museum collections.