Ordinary muon capture studies for the matrix elements in $ββ$ decay

Abstract

Precise measurement of $γ$-rays following ordinary (non-radiative) capture of negative muons by natural Se, Kr, Cd and Sm, as well as isotopically enriched $^{48}$Ti, $^{76}$Se, $^{82}$Kr, $^{106}$Cd and $^{150}$Sm targets was performed by means of HPGe detectors. Energy and time distributions were investigated and total life time of negative muon in different isotopes was deduced. Detailed analysis of $γ$-lines intensity allows to extract relative yield of several daughter nuclei and partial rates of ($μ$,$ν$) capture to numerous excited levels of the $^{48}$Sc, $^{76}$As, $^{82}$Br, $^{106}$Ag and $^{150}$Tc isotopes which are considered to be virtual states of an intermediate odd-odd nucleus in 2$β$-decay of $^{48}$Ca, $^{76}$Ge, $^{82}$Se, $^{106}$Cd and $^{150}$Nd, respectively. These rates are important as an experimental input for the theoretical calculation of the nuclear matrix elements of 2$β$-decay.

14 pages, 13 figures, article, with editors in Physical Review C; the structure of the article was totally revised concerning the Referee remarks and journal requirements (the figures were reordered, the format of figures have been changed), the 3 additional Figures and 1 Table were included