Origin of discrepancy in the theoretical value of the polarizability correction to the ( mu /sup 4/He)/sup +/ energy levels

Different approach in calculating the polarizability correction to the energy levels of the muonic /sup 4/He ion are compared. These calculations disagree with each other by giving results 3 to 10 times larger than the experimental uncertainty. The origin of the major discrepancy is traced to the treatment of the nuclear excitations. It is shown that the experimental value of the electric polarizability of /sup 4/He provides a crucial restriction on model calculations. (15 refs).