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Molecular-ion formation by. cap alpha mu. /sup -/ and. cap alpha pi. /sup -/ atoms in liquid helium

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev., A; (United States)

The experimentally determined intensities of x rays due to muonic and pionic atoms formed in gaseous and liquid helium are analyzed. The analysis is based largely, though not entirely, on some estimates of Auger rates. A discussion of Stark transitions, some estimates of the time required to slow a recoiling mesonic atom after it ejects an electron from a nearby atom in liquid helium, and a brief discussion of kaonic x-ray intensities are also employed. It is concluded that an ..cap alpha mu../sup -/ or an ..cap alpha pi../sup -/ atom in liquid helium probably becomes temporarily bound to a helium atom during its cascade to the 1s state. More specifically, it is argued that the relatively intense muonic K..gamma.. line in gas, the relatively faint muonic and pionic K..gamma.. lines in liquid, and the anomalously high K..beta../K..cap alpha.. intensity ratio for pions in liquid indicate that molecular ions are probably formed in liquid but not in gas by ..cap alpha mu../sup -/ and ..cap alpha pi../sup -/ atoms with n = 4.

Research Organization:
Department of Physics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
OSTI ID:
6694407
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev., A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev., A; (United States) Vol. 18:2; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English