Internal conversion to bound final states in Te-125

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.