EXPERIMENTAL SURVEY OF THE STICKING PROBLEM IN MUON-CATALYZED DT FUSION

The ''sticking'' process dtmu --> ap + n, which constitutes the most severe limit to the number of fusions which a muon can catalyze, is reviewed. Many attempts were made to determine by calculations and measurements the probability for initial sticking omega(s)0 (immediately after dtmu fusion) and for final sticking omega(s) (after the ag came to rest). Previous results based on neutron disappearance rates and on the observation of alphamu-X-rays were controversial and also in some disagreement with theory. New data are reported from PSI on direct observation of final sticking, using a setup with the St. Petersburg ionization chamber. These data mark a significant improvement in reliability and may clarify questions concerning previous discrepancies. The new result is omega(s) approximately (0.56 +/- 0.04)%, lower than the theory prediction omega(s) = (0.65 +/- 0.03)%, at medium density.