Atomic electron excitation probabilities during orbital electron capture by the nucleus

Approximate probabilities of electron excitation (shakeup/shakeoff) from various atomic states during nuclear $\mathrm{ns}$ electron capture have been calculated in the sudden approximation, using Hartree-Fock wave functions. Total excitation probabilities are much lower than during inner-shell ionization by photons or electrons, and $\mathrm{ns}$ states are more likely to be excited than $\mathrm{np}$ states. This latter result is borne out by $K\alpha$ x-ray satellite spectra.