Break-up channels in muon capture on 3He

Abstract

The μ− +3 He → νμ + n + d and μ− +3 He → νμ + n + n + p capture reactions are studied under full inclusion of final state interactions with the AV18 nucleon-nucleon potential, augmented by the Urbana IX three-nucleon force, and employing the single nucleon weak current operator. We give first realistic estimates of the total capture rates: 544 s−1 and 154 s−1 for the n + d and n + n + p channels, respectively. Our results are compared with the most recent experimental data, finding a rough agreement for the total capture rates, but failing to reproduce the differential capture rates.