A preprint

Abstract

The capture of a muon bound to an atomic nucleus is a singular phenomenon because it involves three forces: an electromagnetic force binds the muon to the nucleus and produces the muon's energy levels, including the hyperfine structure; the nuclear force produces the structure of the nucleus; and finally, the weak force is responsible for the capture. In this note, I describe the rather bizarre circumstances under which the first paper discussing the role of the hyperfine levels in this process was written in 1958.