Systematic study of muon transfer to sulphur dioxide

Abstract

In a systematic study of the transfer process to sulphur dioxide, in seven different H2 + SO2 gas mixtures, the time spectra of the muonic sulphur X-rays yield muon transfer rates to the SO2 molecule, deduced from the lifetimes of the μp atoms, which agree all well with each other. The muonic oxygen time spectra show an additional structure as if μp atoms of another kind were present. Reduced transfer ratesΛ′O are reproducible if one uses the model of “ephemeral” μp atoms. The intensity ratios between the different kinds of μp atoms are also discussed in the framework of this model and the one of “black and white” μp atoms.