Interference ofK-Capture, Gamma Transitions through a Virtual State, and Inner Bremsstrahlung Transitions

Abstract

The energy distribution of photons emitted during the transition from the ground state of ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{59}$ to that of ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$ has been calculated with allowance being made for interference between the $K$-capture, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray transition through a virtual intermediate excited state of ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$ and the second forbidden $K$-capture transition, accompanied by inner bremsstrahlung, between ground states. The effect of the transition through the virtual state is to introduce terms in the photon energy distribution whose maxima are at higher energies than those resulting from inner bremsstrahlung transitions. In particular, the energy distribution for the leading interference term is similar to that used by Schmorak, who found that a better fit to his data was obtained by assuming that the virtual capture transition exists. Thus, the present calculation confirms Schmorak's method of analysis and, therefore, gives support for the existence of the virtual capture transition.