MEASUREMENTS OF MUON DISAPPEARANCE RATES vs TIME IN C, Mg, Al, Si, AND P

It is noted that a negative curvature (K), in the meson ( mu /sup -/) disappearance rate from mu -mesic atoms as a function of time, is evidence for the existence of a hfs effect in the capture of mu mesons by nuclei. The disappearance rates are examined for Mg and Al, and it is found that, to the limits of experimental accuracy, K = 0. The mu meson lifetimes in C, Mg, Al, Si, and P are reported. (T.F.H.)