The lifetime of negative muons has been measured in 50 elements plus 8 isotopes. For light elements the accuracy of 2 to 3 ns is a significant improvement over most previous measurements. In heavier elements the accuracy is 1 to 2 ns, which is comparable to, or better than, previous results, with reasonable agreement in most cases. For ${}_{}{}^{18}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{O}$, Sc, Dy, and Er there were no previous data. The total capture rates have been deduced and compared to various calculations.

• Received 16 December 1986

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.35.2212