Scattering kernels for the muon diffusion equation

Abstract

Diffusion of muonic hydrogen atoms in gaseous hydrogen is studied. Scattering kernels are derived from the kinematics of an inelastic binary collision. The effect of rotations of the hydrogen molecules is treated by defining and computing an effective inelastic energy transfer Qeff. The Doppler effect is taken into account by averaging the cross sections over the Maxwellian velocity distribution of the target molecules.