Negative Pion Capture in Helium

The capture rates of negative pions in He/sup 4/ into the three modes t + n, d + 2n, and p + 3n are calculated phenomenologically, using a two-nucleon capture model. The amplitudes which appear in the phenomonological interaction are evaluated by a comparison with the pion production cross sections; and the capture rates are compared with experiment. The calculated ratio of the triton mode to all captures within the energy range observed by Schiff, Hildebrand, and Giese is 30%, which is in good agreement with the experimental ratio of 1/3. (auth)