Search for long-lived 2S muonic hydrogen in H/sub 2/ gas

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Phys. Rev., A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.23.1152· OSTI ID:6635243

Egan, P O; Dhawan, S; Hughes, V W; Lu, D C; Mariam, F G; Souder, P A; Vetter, J; zu Putlitz, G; Thompson, P A; Denison, A B

We have searched for long-lived 2S muonic hydrogen ( ..mu../sup -/p) in H/sub 2/ gas at 0.8 atm. The state could be detected by observing delayed 1.9-keV 2P..-->..1S photons from collisionally quenched ..mu../sup -/p(2S). The observed upper limit (90% confidence level) for the fraction, f/sub 2S/, of ..mu../sup -/p(2S) with lifetime tau/sub 2S/ in the gas in the range, 100 mu../sup -/p(2P)+H/sub 2/ and hence are rapidly quenched. We have also measured the relative Lyman line intensities in muonic hydrogen and muonic helium at 0.8 atm with solid-state detectors (Ge for ..mu../sup -/ /sup 4/He and Si(Li) for ..mu../sup -/p). The results are (K/sub ..cap alpha..//K/sub total/)/sub mu-p/=0.46 +- 0.06, K/sub ..cap alpha..//K/sub total/)/sub mu-ts4He/=0.76 +- 0.04, (K/sub ..beta..//K/sub total/)/sub mu-ts4He/=0.04 +- 0.02. These results imply that about 7.5% of ..mu../sup -/p atoms cascade to the 2S state.

• Research Organization: J. W. Gibbs Laboratory, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520
• OSTI ID: 6635243
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev., A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., A; (United States) Vol. 23:3; ISSN PLRAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640303* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Positronium
Muonium
& Muonic & Mesic Atoms & Molecules
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ATOMS
ELEMENTS
EMISSION SPECTRA
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
HYDROGEN
LYMAN LINES
MUONIC ATOMS
NONMETALS
S STATES
SPECTRA
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA