Calculations of μ- wave functions in muonic atoms using a genetic algorithm.

We present a numerical approach of calculating the wave functions of μ-. particles bound in muonic atoms due to an extended nuclear Coulomb potential. A genetic algorithm has been employed to solve numerically the Schro¨dinger and Dirac equations and subsequently to estimate the binding energies in heavy nuclei like the 208Pb and the 124Sn for these particles. The comparison of the present results with those of previously reported numerical algorithms shows that our μ- binging energies and wave functions are well matched. One of the main goals of such exact calculations is to systematically study the rates of exclusive μ- capture processes in nuclei as well as those of the exotic μ- → e± conversions in the presence of nuclei. The latter rates are extremely suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]