MUON TRANSFER RATES FROM THERMALIZED MU-P AND MU-D ATOMS TO OXYGEN

Negative muons are trapped in H-2 or D2 gaseous mixtures containing sm all amounts of CO2 and O2. The muonic hydrogen atom may transfer its m uon to other elements during collisions with other atoms. The resultin g muonic cascade and the time distribution of the characteristic X-ray s can be used to determine transfer rates from thermalized mup and mud atoms to oxygen. This analysis may clarify whether or not the transfe r process is influenced by chemical bonds.