LASER-INDUCED TRANSITION 3D-3P IN MUONIC HELIUM

In recent years quantum electrodynamics (QED) vacuum polarization corrections (at low momentum transfer) has been tested in several physical situations using muonic atoms: this has permitted a direct check for different values of Zalpha [1-6]. The vacuum polarization test obtained by measuring the 2S-2P energy difference, by means of laser-induced transition in muonic helium, has reached the 0.17% level. Such a test is limited by the uncertainty of the helium electric form factor; in order to overcome this limit, a scheme to measure the 3D-3P energy difference in muonic helium has been suggested and a test measurement performed. In this article we wish to make some comments on this experimental method and discuss its future possibilities