  We investigate the quantum interference between the resonant process of
nuclear excitation by electron capture (NEEC) followed by the radiative decay
of the excited nucleus, and radiative recombination (RR). In order to derive
the interference cross section, a Feshbach projection operator formalism is
used. The electromagnetic field is considered by means of multipole fields. The
nucleus is described by a phenomenological collective model and by making use
of experimental data. The Fano profile parameters as well as the interference
cross section for electric and magnetic multipole transitions in various heavy
ions are presented. We discuss the experimental possibility of discerning NEEC
from the RR background.
