α2(Zα)2Vacuum-Polarization Correction in Muonic Atoms

Abstract

The order-${\alpha }^2{\left(Z\alpha \right)}^2$ vacuum-polarization correction for transition energies in muonic atoms is calculated in the static-muon, massless-electron limit. Conventional Feynman-parametric-integral techniques are utilized. The correction is found to be negligibly small, contrary to a previous claim appearing in the literature.