Virtual Electron Capture inNi59

A careful measurement of the gamma-ray spectrum of ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{59}$ has been performed. The analysis of the data indicates that the inner bremsstrahlung spectrum is slightly distorted near the end point. This distortion is ascribed to destructive interference with a virtual $e^{-}$ capture through the firxt excited state in ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$. The probability of the virtual transition is found to be in the range of 0.0005 to 0.006 relative to the direct, second forbidden, inner bremsstrahlung to the ground state of ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$. The product of the width of the first excited state in ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$ and the $log\mathrm{}\left(\mathrm{ft}\right)\mathrm{}$ value for the virtual $e^{-}$ capture is determined.