FORMATION OF METASTABLE DT-MU MOLECULES IN T-MU(2S)-D-2 COLLISION

The formation process of metastable dt mu molecules in D-2-T-2 mixture s is investigated. The dt mu molecule exhibits a series of three-body resonances embedded in the t mu+d scattering continuum just below the t mu(2s)+d threshold, These states can-be formed in collisions of exci ted t mu(2s) atoms with D-2 molecules, whereby the excess of binding e nergy is absorbed by the rovibrational degrees of freedom of D-2. We p resent a scattering-theoretic model for this process, and perform a nu merical calculation of its cross section. The essential transition amp litudes are obtained from three-body wave functions for the dt mu subc luster, and adiabatic wave functions for the entire hybrid system in t he final channel. It is found that the effective formation rate is lim ited by the Auger-transition rates of the molecular complex formed. Th e calculated cross sections exhibit broad ''peaks,'' with magnitudes l arge enough for the formation process to favorably compete with deexci tation of t mu(n=2) atoms via radiative and collisional processes. The formation of metastable dt mu can therefore be one of the fastest pro cesses depleting the n=2 levels of the t mu atom in hydrogen mixtures, of importance for low-energy muon science, electroweak physics, and m uon catalyzed fusion.