Anomalous3dshifts and widths in heavyπ−atoms

We argue that $3d$ shifts and widths in heavy ${\pi }^{-}$ atoms are probably not anomalous, contrary to recent experimental and theoretical claims. The observed shifts are small because the ${\pi }^{-}$-nucleus interaction is expected to become repulsive in an atom close to ${}_{}{}^{209}{}_{}{}^{}\mathrm{Bi}$. No plausible microscopic explanation has been found for the small widths and it is stressed that the experimental evidence for the anomaly, particularly of the widths, is not strong.