Gaussians Versus Back-to-Back Exponentials: A Numerical Study

The underlying magnetic field distribution in many samples studied by the μSR technique is asymmetric. Despite this, quite often fit functions assuming symmetric (Gaussian) distributions are used. Here, a back-to-back exponential function, which can be made asymmetric with fit parameters, is studied numerically alongside a Gaussian function to see how well each fits symmetric and asymmetric simulated data. Both fit symmetric data well, but the back-to-back exponential is found to be superior for fitting asymmetric data.