MUON CAPTURE IN DEUTERIUM

Abstract

Muon capture in deuterium, μ-+ D →νμ+n+n, is a weak process of fundamental importance. The capture rate depends critically on the spin configuration of the initial (μ D ) state, which is in turn related closely to the availability of having two nearby deuteron nuclei. In this paper, we calculate the capture rates from the doublet [Formula: see text] and quartet [Formula: see text] hyperfine states. In addition to using the gaseous or liquid deuterium target, we wish also to propose to employ the deuterated target such as PdD or TiD to carry out the muon capture measurement, since it is known that the transition metals such as palladium (Pd) or titanium (Ti) has unusually high deuteron (hydrogen) absorption properties.