Measurement of the rate lambda /sub e/ for the reaction mu p+d to mu d +p at room temperature

The authors have performed this measurement at the muon channel of the 600 MeV CERN synchrocyclotron, by slowing-down negative muons in a gaseous target of ultrapure hydrogen, contaminated by small amounts of deuterium and xenon. The experiment was carried out using an already existing apparatus to measure the time distribution of the decay electrons coming from muons stopped in the gaseous target. (11 refs).