The solar neutrino capture rate measured by the Russian-American Gallium
Experiment (SAGE) on metallic gallium during the period January 1990 through
December 1997 is 67.2 (+7.2-7.0) (+3.5-3.0) SNU, where the uncertainties are
statistical and systematic, respectively. This represents only about half of
the predicted Standard Solar Model rate of 129 SNU. All the experimental
procedures, including extraction of germanium from gallium, counting of 71Ge,
and data analysis are discussed in detail.Comment: 34 pages including 14 figures, Revtex, slightly shortene