Theoretical results are presented for rate of decay of the 3/2+ isomeric nu
clear state of Te-125 by excitation of atomic electrons to bound states in
the ions Te45+ and Te46+ In these ions the nuclear transition energy lies j
ust below the threshold for emission of a K-shell electron to the continuum
with the result that normal K-shell internal conversion is energetically f
orbidden. However recent experimental results indicate that excitation of K
-shell electrons is still significant in these ions. The theoretical result
s presented here for internal conversion to bound final states are in quant
itative agreement with experiment and thereby confirm the contribution of n
ear-resonant electron-nucleus transitions involving a bound final state. (C
) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B.V.