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Nuclear Capture of µ-Mesons

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Abstract

IT is well known from delayed-coincidence experiments1 that negative µ -mesons (mass 215) stopping in light atoms undergo electron decay, whereas those stopping in substances of high atomic number undergo nuclear capture. Both photographic plate2,3 and cloud-chamber evidence4,5 shows that very few or none of the µ-mesons produce nuclear disintegration stars in heavy elements. Counter-work6 precludes production of photons, though there is evidence for emission of neutrons following meson capture7,8. It is of interest to discuss the above evidence in the light of observations on µ -mesons stopping in nuclear emulsions.

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PERKINS, D. Nuclear Capture of µ-Mesons. Nature 163, 682–683 (1949). https://doi.org/10.1038/163682b0

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