Affiliation: | 1.Radiation Science Center, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801, Japan ;2.Graduate School of Science, Osaka University, Toyonaka, Osaka, 560-0043, Japan ;3.Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Naka, Ibaraki, 319-1195, Japan ;4.Muon Science Laboratory, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801, Japan ;5.International Christian University, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8585, Japan ; |
Abstract: | The role of valence electrons for the muon capture process by molecules is experimentally investigated with the aid of cascade calculations. Low-momentum muons are introduced to gas targets of CO, CO2, and COS below atmospheric pressure. The initial states of captured muons are determined from the measured muonic X-ray structure of the Lyman and Balmer series. We propose that the lone pair electrons in the carbon atom of CO significantly contribute to the capture of a muon with large angular momenta. |